Next Level Community Development Center held a Community-Wide Parent Session on Tuesday, February 28, for an opportunity to learn about mental health and youth violence. About 200 people gathered at Bibb Mt. Zion Baptist Church and heard from multiple professionals and leaders in our community. This is one of several outreach efforts by Nex Level funded by the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
Some of those included Dr. Chanelle Sweet-Dixon – Co-Founder and CEO of Transitions Counseling, Consulting, and Coaching LLC in Macon – and Reverend Sheknita Smith.
“When we know better, we do better,” Dr. Dixon told the crowd. Dr. Dixon went on to explain Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE).
Parents and loved ones were given the opportunity to ask questions and learn about how to deal with their children who may face mental health problems or difficult surroundings.
Next Level is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth and families to exercise sound judgment regarding their education, health, social and emotional well-being through youth services (afterschool and summer programming) and mental health programs. Next Level is also one of the 25 organizations who received funding through Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) grants.
About the Macon Violence Prevention Program
More than $800,000 was granted to 25 nonprofit and faith-based organizations to put in place programs and efforts to reduce violent crime; each goal they are trying to meet was made by the nearly 2,000 people through forums and surveys on what our neighborhoods need. Those outcomes are outlined in the MVP Strategic Plan, and the full list of organizations and programs can be found by clicking here. Organizations were selected through an application and review process led by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
“The solution to violent crime in our community will be found in all of us working together on the same team,” explained Mayor Lester Miller. “The fact that more than 50 organizations came to the table with good ideas and applied for MVP grants shows that the people of our community are committed to this historic effort. If we continue to work together, we will create a safer, stronger community now and for future generations.”
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, agencies, organizations, and departments.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. It combines data and research with community feedback to implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.