ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/WKBW) — A program here in Western New York is set to benefit from $5.5 million that's being set aside to support efforts to ensure teens have better options than joining a criminal gang.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the funding on Wednesday. He said the money is a key part of offering teens good alternatives to violent street gangs.
Among the 14 programs benefitting from the funding is Buffalo's The Service Collaborative of WNY. It's getting $300,000.
Participants in the programs can get help with earning a high school diploma, or learn skills needed for jobs in health care, building trades, information technology and other sectors.
Nearly $1 million will go toward programs on Long Island, where state and local officials are trying to curb recruitment by the MS-13 gang.
