THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Project Success CEO Kimberly David
DANVILLE — New funding for Project Success of Vermilion County will allow additional student programming to address violence prevention.
Project Success will receive a $115,000 Restore, Reinvest and Renew (R3) Program grant through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Revenue for the $35 million in grants to support 88 local organization programs statewide comes from adult-use, recreational cannabis sales, according to the authority.
“This is completely new funding for us,” Project Success CEO Kimberly David said.
The program will fund a full-time violence prevention/family outreach coordinator to provide violence prevention programming/curriculum programs to 150 at-risk students (ages 6-17) in Project Success’ after-school programs across Danville; consistent outreach to Project Success families to strengthen relationships and to offer any needed supports; and plan quarterly family education events. Families will be supported by connecting them to needed community resources such as housing, rental assistance, mental health services, food, clothing, hygiene, etc., David said.
According to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the funds will support local organizations with smaller budgets in communities heavily affected by violence, criminal justice system overuse, and economic deprivation.
“Illinois created the most equity-centric cannabis program in the nation and the R3 program is a fundamental component of our state’s legalization framework,” said Gov. JB Pritzker, in a press release. “By funding smaller community organizations in areas harmed by years of disinvestment and excessive incarceration, we are taking enormous strides toward justice and expanding opportunities for all.”
The grant is part of the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Program, a key equity element of the 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. The law requires 25% of adult-use cannabis tax revenue to support communities harmed by decades of economic disinvestment, violence, and the severe and disproportionate damage caused by the war on drugs. These issues largely impact low-income Illinoisans and communities of color. To date, the ICJIA reports it has awarded more than $244 million in R3 program grants
“For too long, communities have suffered from systemic injustice and a criminal legal system that unfairly targets marginalized groups,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, in a press release. “Illinois’ equity-focused cannabis reform is a key step in addressing these issues. The R3 program not only provides funding but also empowers local organizations to create safer, stronger communities, giving every Illinoisan the chance to truly thrive.”
Grants were awarded to organizations that serve residents of designated eligible R3 zones. The R3 program empowers nonprofits, small businesses, and faith-based organizations to repair harm and build safer communities. ICJIA received 574 applications.
Funded programs will offer evidence-based, promising, or innovative service strategies within the R3 Program priority areas of civil legal aid, economic development, community re-entry from the criminal justice system, violence prevention, and youth development.
Researchers identified areas eligible for R3 funding using community-level data on gun injury, child poverty, unemployment, and state prison commitments and returns, combined with disproportionately impacted areas previously identified by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
