[City of Worcester] Shannon CSI Letter of Interest

Youth Opportunities Letterhead with City Seal

Worcester 2026 Shannon Community Safety Initiative Letter of Interest Application

The City of Worcester, through the Division of Youth Opportunities under the leadership of City Manager Eric D. Batista, is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Request for Letters of Interest for the Senator Charles E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative (Shannon CSI). All nonprofit organizations and youth-serving community groups, including those working with an eligible fiscal agent, must submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) to be considered for an invitation to apply for funding. Only organizations that submit an LOI and are deemed eligible and aligned with the grant goals will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Applicants should apply for one year of funding. The anticipated funding cycle for projects will begin on or about January 1, 2026 and end December 31, 2026. Applicants may request funding of up to $100,000 to implement youth violence prevention and intervention strategies during the 2026 grant year. The Shannon CSI program supports coordinated, data-driven efforts to address gang and youth violence in Worcester and aligns with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model.

Proposed programs should reflect the goals of Worcester’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (WYVPI), focusing on:

Breaking down barriers to collaboration
Centering youth and lived experience
Building a trauma-informed ecosystem
Expanding access to transformative opportunities
Uplifting the voices and needs of girls, especially girls of color

Letters of Interest should briefly describe your program concept, identify the neighborhood(s) served, and explain how your initiative aligns with Shannon priorities and responds to violence in Worcester. Strong partnership models, including those involving law enforcement and cross-sector collaboration, are encouraged.

General Information

Organization Name

Contact Name and Title

Phone Number

Applicants Must Meet All of the Following Requirements

Nonprofit youth-serving organization OR Organization using an eligible fiscal agent
Organization is located in or serves youth in the City of Worcester
Ability to administer individual risk assessments (for low, moderate, and high-risk youth)
Organization can comply with grant requirements (quarterly financial reports, biannual progress reports, attend technical assistance sessions, and site visits)
Organization agrees to focus on youth ages 10 - 24 who live in high-risk (hot-spot) areas and are at risk or involved in gang activity

Neighborhoods and Target Population

List the Worcester neighborhoods your proposed program will serve:

Estimated number of youth your program will serve during the grant year (2026):

Capacity

Briefly describe your organization's experience working with youth involved in or at risk for gang activity (100-200 words):

Briefly describe your organization's capacity to administer individual risk assessments to youth participants. Please include staff time allotted to complete individual assessments:

Risk Assessment Manual

Program Alignment

Which funding priority area(s) from WYVPI does your proposed program align with? (check all that apply):

Break down barriers to collaboration by eliminating gatekeeping and fostering transparent, accessible communication among youth, service providers, community leaders, and organizations.

Center youth and lived experience by co-designing programming with those directly impacted by violence to ensure relevance, accountability, and equity.

Build a trauma-informed ecosystem through a comprehensive response system that delivers immediate support and sustained care for youth affected by violence.

Expand access to transformative opportunities that include mentorship, workforce development, recreation, and social-emotional learning, ensuring these programs are high-quality and equitably available.

Uplift the voices and needs of girls, especially girls of color, by providing gender-responsive supports that promote healing, empowerment, leadership, and safe spaces for growth.

While not required, partnerships that include law enforcement (e.g., Worcester Police Department) to strengthen coordinated prevention and intervention strategies will be viewed favorably, especially if designed thoughtfully in alignment with community needs and youth violence prevention best practices. (Brief explanation of any current partnerships if desired, 2–3 sentences):

Response to Violence and Community Needs

How does your proposed program specifically respond to violence in Worcester and address the needs and opportunities outlined in the Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (WYVPI) plan noted above? (150–250 words)

Timeline

Letter of Interest Application Released: May 1, 2025
Letter of Interest Application Deadline: May 23, 2025
Request for Proposal Released: June 6, 2025
Application Deadline: July 18, 2025
City Submits Application to the State: October 2025
Awardees Notified: January 2026

For questions, please contact Jeury Abreu at AbreuJ@worcesterma.gov.