The Girls Dig Deeper Initiative – a Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program partner – is hosting Makin’ Mentors Collaborative on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Tubman African American Museum (310 Cherry Street). This will be a training session for anyone interested in becoming a mentor, existing mentors who want additional training, or service organizations looking to incorporate mentorship into their programs.
“This will be a great opportunity for people to get guidance and support through training and coaching to cultivate successful mentoring relationships in workplaces, schools, and community settings,” says Najiva Timothee.
“Supporting our children and helping guide them on the right path is at the core of Macon Violence Prevention’s success in reducing violent crime, and I’m proud of Girls Dig Deeper for helping other people and organizations get involved,” says Mayor Lester Miller.
Registration for the training is required and space is limited. Click here to sign up: https://form.jotform.com/250677506907162.
In the third round of MVP grants, GDDI received $15,000 to empower girls to overcome challenges and succeed, as well as to host community-based events such as mental health check-ins and money management classes in collaboration with local organizations, supporting parents and caregivers while providing supervised activities for youth growth and development. They also received funding in the first two rounds of funding.
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.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.
Since its inception, more than $2.5 million has been granted to local nonprofit and community organizations. From 2022 to 2024, the Macon-Bibb homicide rate dropped by 45%, and the youth homicide rate fell by 87% between 2022 and 2024.