Grant To Help Your Life Matters Focus Zones

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Your Life Matters initiative announced nearly $700,000 in federal money Monday to help low-income youth in two target areas. 

Indianapolis is one of nine communities around the country to receive the federal grant as part of the Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth, a national collaborative program that’s working to respond to community challenges.

The effort here will also be cooperative with the Indiana Black Expo, Department of Public Safety, IMPD, IPS, the Indianapolis Housing Authority and others, partnering to provide support for at-risk youth living in two public housing communities in the 46218 zip code.

YLM Executive Director, Dr. Michael Twyman says the money will be used to help up to 240 young people ages 14 to 24.

"For education, employment and mentoring, we know are the best investments we can make in young people to connect them, to deter crime and deter irresponsible behavior,"  Twyman said.

The community partners have also raised over a million dollars to support the Your Life Matters Opportunity Zone program.