YouthUp, Inc. has begun holding monthly “Real Talk for Stronger Families” sessions as part of the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program. Partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department, YouthUp is holding the sessions to foster more open communication for youth and their parents and grandparents to better find solutions to issues teens may be facing.
“We want everyone to have a seat at the table and to have a voice in improving our lives and our futures,” says YouthUp Executive Director Amanda Smith.
“It’s because of the direct outreach to families throughout our community by amazing nonprofit organizations that we had a 43% decline in our homicide rate,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “I want to thank YouthUp and all our MVP partners for working daily to create stronger families and better futures for our children.”
The sessions are open to the public, but space is limited, and registration is required. The next session will be Tuesday, April 16, at 6:00 p.m. at the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center (1211 Maynard Street). To register, email youthupmacon@yahoo.com or call 478-733-8602.
During the session, there will be food provided before the facilitators walk the guests through icebreaker activities, discussing the topic for the evening, asking about challenges the families face, and working together to find solutions.
The first session of “Real Talk for Stronger Families” was held on March 12 at the Rosa Jackson Center. During the session, parents and their teens discussed the challenges of peer pressure and shared tips on finding positive friend groups.
“It was a joy to see older teens offering support and tips to younger ones,” said Executive Director Amanda Smith. “Witnessing peer-to-peer mentoring in its purest form, not orchestrated by an adult, was most rewarding.”
After the session, four teens joined YouthUp’s Youth Leadership Council, where they will plan and implement fundraisers, youth rallies, and community cleanups. The Council is an elite group of teens who want to make a positive impact in Macon-Bibb through community engagement focused on nonviolent resolution to conflict. They also attend other community events to encourage each other.
“We are deeply grateful for our partnerships with MVP, the Peyton Anderson Foundation, and the Parks and Recreation Department,” said Smith. “It STILL takes a village.”
YouthUp is part of the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program, receiving a $20,000 grant from Macon-Bibb County through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. This is their first year in the program and the second year that grants have been awarded.
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.
“I want to commend all of our partners for their dedication in seeing this work through for years to come, as this will take long-term solutions to continue making our community safer,” adds Mayor Miller. “Whether it’s granting community organizations the funds they need or providing free mental health services or removing blight from our neighborhoods or increasing law enforcement technology…we are doing everything we can to improve public safety.”
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%.
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 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.
