IofC USA Awarded New Allstate Foundation Grant of $200,000 for work on Youth Racial Equity

The Freedom & Healing Community Cohort is a 2-year collaborative initiative partnering with Drums No Guns Foundation, ART 180, RISE for Youth and Alfonso Perez Acosta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2021

We are honored to announce that Initiatives of Change USA has been awarded a $200,000 grant by Allstate Foundation focused on developing youth leaders through racial equity practices. 

Launching in Spring 2022, IofC USA will work together with leading innovators in intersectional youth engagement in Richmond, VA including RISE for Youth, ART 180, Drums No Guns Foundation and Alfonso Perez Acosta to inaugurate a 2-year cohort program, entitled The Freedom and Healing Community Cohort (FHCC).

Allan-Charles Chipman, Faith Rooted Organizer & Transformation Strategist at Initiatives of Change USA shares, “During a time where we experience, observe, and grieve so much of the community and systemic violence that is happening to and within our youth, it is of the utmost importance that we come together for the work to help heal the trauma our youth experience while giving the support and guidance they need to build the future of racial equity that they envision.” 

IofC USA is elated and humbled to work with our trusted partners to serve and support the youth of our city in expanding their visions of racial equity. Although more than 2,000 organizations across the U.S. applied for this new Allstate funding opportunity announced during August 2021, our application was one of 27 awarded full program funding. 

Looking forward to the inclusion of racially and culturally diverse youth, Alfonso Perez Acosta details, “As an artist and educator working in Richmond mainly with Latin American and immigrant communities, I’m very excited to be part of this mindful project for youth in Richmond, with the possibilities for a shared intercultural experience to heal and grow together.”

The Freedom & Healing Community Cohort (FHCC) will be a 6-8 week intensive program operating in Spring, Summer, & Fall cycles annually. FHCC will gather a diverse group of youth in each cohort and focus on the ways youth participants desire to engage in the work of racial equity and justice. 

“Building strong, problem solving, and civically activated, youth is RISE for Youth's specialty,” declares Valerie Slater, Esq. and Executive Director. “We teach youth to resolve challenges with youth-developed legislative, policy, and community-based solutions; and we are looking forward to helping Youth Leaders translate their hopes and dreams for a bright future into reality. We are proud to be a part of this team to help Richmond's youth go forth and be great!” 

FHCC members will learn the history of Richmond public policy that contributed to the racial inequities seen in their communities (i.e. redlining, restrictive covenants, & urban renewal.) This includes the ability to advocate for policy changes, to implement public art or narrative change projects surrounding racial equity, and community access and environmental projects.

According to Nicole Jones and Maurice Leoni-Osion of ART 180, this is how youth leadership engagement works best: “Our focus at ART 180 is to provide young people across the Richmond area a safe space that encourages freedom of expression that empowers their creativity for leadership opportunities used to transform communities through artworks, stories, exhibitions, performances, and publications. Through this partnership, we aim to identify a BIPOC cohort of youth and young adults across the city of Richmond to develop healing practices and the arts as resources to transform racial inequities and trauma that have impacted communities.”

Throughout the process, the cohorts will also be learning from the leading experts in Urban Trauma care & healing to implement elements of mental health & healing as well. “The impact of gun violence on BIPOC youth in Richmond, VA is historic and traumatic,” says Dr. Ram Bhagat of Drums No Guns Foundation. “With guidance, resources, and support our young people can help prevent the continuous loss of thousands of lives, as well as protect the unlimited potential of future generations.”

From this diverse collaboration each cohort will be launching a capstone project of their choice to further racial equity within their communities. At the conclusion of the program, youth will have an expanded, diverse network of peers and racial equity professionals within the city to continue to implement racial equity solutions.

For more news on the Freedom and Healing Community Cohort or to get involved, please email allan-charles.chipman@iofc.org or visit our website at us.iofc.org.