SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — In response to the rise in car thefts and larcenies by teenagers, Governor Kathy Hochul announced additional funding of five million dollars that aims to fund outreach and support programs for the community’s youth.
“Your destiny is not determined by your zip code and there are pathways out of this and they’re are others who have fallen prey to the allure of the street gangs, where that may be the only family, the only support system that you have, that is all you know and how do you break them out?” said Hochul.
Noting programs where former offenders highlight the importance of taking the straight and narrow — Hochul says she believes this is the solution to getting kids off the streets.
“Today’s new funding, two million will go to 11 organizations in Syracuse through project Rise. These are the programs that will provide mental health support, crisis intervention, youth employment,” Hochul said.
These programs emphasize the importance of jobs and training. Hochul says she believes this is the most effective approach.