On Wednesday, February 12, Georgia Power representatives donated $10,000 towards Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) and the money was distributed amongst five MVP partners to continue their work in the community. Click here to watch the full presentation.
“When we first announced Macon Violence Prevention almost four years ago, I knew it would make a difference, but I am amazed each day at how much,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “Since that announcement we have had dozens of non-profit organizations and churches provide a safe space for children and teenagers in our community. It takes a village.”
Georgia Power stepped up to the plate to be part of that village and help non-profits continue their mission with MVP. Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI), Victory Academy, Lead with Literacy, Pace Center for Girls, and Appleton Episcopal Ministries’ Free to Read Program, all received money from the power company.
“Georgia Power’s donation to MVP shows a testament to our unwavering support to this community, reflects a broader mission to empower and uplift this community,” said Region Executive Patrick Harris. “We look forward to partnering with all of these great organizations to help build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Macon-Bibb County.”
The money given to the organizations will go towards spring and school break camps and field trips.
“This contribution will make a meaningful impact to empower youth and continue to make a difference in the lives of the youth we serve,” said GDDI Founder Najiva Timothee.
“We are deeply grateful to Georgia Power for their generous support of Pace Center for Girls. Their commitment to empowering young women helps us provide vital programs that foster healthy relationships, healing, and brighter futures,” said Program Director Rebecca Richard. “Thank you for believing in young women, and the strength of our community!
“I am so proud of all of the work you have one,” MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom told the organizations in the room. “Thank you for stepping up to the plate. It’s a hard job and a thankless job and we’re all doing it together. We’re doing this so our community is the safest place it can be.”
About Macon Violence Prevention
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations and departments.
This past summer, 25 organizations announced more than $800,000 in grant money to 25 non-profit organizations. Since the inception of MVP in 2021, $1,685,000 has been awarded to 40 different organizations’ missions.
Though MVP is still fairly new in its implementation, it has already helped the community realize significant results in becoming safer. From 2022 to 2023, Macon-Bibb had a nearly 43% reduction in homicides, from 70 to 40. The reduction in homicides for children (those 18 years old and younger) went from 15 in 2022 to 5 in 2023 – which is a 66.7% reduction in just one year.
While other cities in Georgia and around the country also had a decline in their homicide rate, Macon-Bibb County’s 43% far surpassed them. Atlanta had a 21% decline, Columbus a 12%, Savannah a 13%, Mobile, Alabama a 21%, and Jackson, Mississippi a 14%.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was introduced in June of 2021. Created by community stakeholders and violent crime experts, this strategic plan combines data and research with community feedback to implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.