Shannon (CSI) and SSYI

The City of Worcester's Division of Youth Opportunities oversees two state grants centered on violence prevention and intervention.

2024 Youth Violence Assessment

The WYVPI formed in response to a gang and youth violence assessment and citywide strategic planning process that engaged hundreds of youth, adult residents, and other stakeholders from fall 2013 through spring 2015. The assessment identified the following as significant drivers of youth violence in Worcester: family stress; unemployment; early childhood trauma; generational cycles of gang involvement; limited neighborhood recreation opportunities; and punitive school discipline. During the assessment period, youth violence spiked. This difficult reality sparked a sense of urgency among city leadership to identify solutions to this complex, multi-faceted problem.

View the 2024 Youth Violence Assessment

The Safe & Successful Youth Initiative

The Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI) is a comprehensive, interagency strategy that connects law enforcement, employment, education, public health, and youth development agencies to reduce youth violence in the Commonwealth. SSYI requires the implementation of a coordinated intervention strategy focused on "proven risk youth" identified by each city as the highest risk individuals for being perpetrators or victims of violence, and their families. This program is made available through state funding.

To learn more, visit the SSYI Website.

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI)

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) is aimed at reducing gang violence through evidence-based approaches in communities across the Commonwealth. Shannon (CSI) is a multi-pronged approach to address a community's gang and youth violence problem. This program is also made available through state funding.

The program focuses on five strategy areas:

Social intervention
Suppression
Opportunity Provision
Organizational Change
Community Mobilization

To learn more, visit the Shannon (CSI) Website.

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 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.

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.

Timeline: