The Brief
- Two 17-year-old founders secured a $50,000 grant to combat Atlanta teen takeovers by building safe spaces for young people.
- Police reported 13 arrests and recovered 11 firearms during recent incidents at Atlantic Station, Cobb County, Piedmont Park and the BeltLine.
- The youth organization plans to finalize its business plan and form partnerships with local business owners to open dedicated safe hubs.
ATLANTA – Two Atlanta teens are utilizing a $50,000 grant from the city to establish safe community hubs for young people following a wave of teen takeovers across metro locations.
Grant funding for Atlanta teens
What we know:
The City of Atlanta awarded $50,000 in grant money to 17-year-old Devin Mitchell and 17-year-old Haile Irving. The two teens own The Spot, a youth-led organization in Atlanta working to address community safety.
The grant came after conversations involving the City of Atlanta, local business owners, politicians and Atlanta Public Schools. The Mayor’s chief of staff provided the $50,000 city grant to support resources for a dedicated third space.
Metro Atlanta teen takeover arrests
By the numbers:…