Yesterday, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg joined community leaders at The Spot: Young Opportunity Campus to announce that, through a new federal Go Grant, more vulnerable young adults in Louisville will be getting access to much-needed supportive resources. This funding, which totals $700,000 over two and half years, will allow The Spot and its community partners to serve more than 100 additional youth who are at severe risk of being impacted by community and interpersonal violence.
“Our city is stronger and safer when every young person, from every neighborhood and background, has access to a support system and quality economic opportunities.”
Mayor Greenberg (Photo credit: Stephen Moore)
“In working to build a safer and stronger Louisville, we must use every resource we have to improve the conditions that lead to violence and despair in our community, especially among our young people,” Mayor Greenberg said. “These new funds will help more young adults get connected to a team of caring adults, and to basic resources like stable housing, transportation, and employment.”
The funding announcement was made at The Spot’s headquarters, located on JCTC’s Technical Campus in downtown Louisville. The Spot is a collaboration of KentuckianaWorks, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, and Louisville Metro Government which began in 2021. The program is designed to be a one-stop career and resource center for young people facing difficult life circumstances, including involvement with the court system, poverty, and homelessness.
Jacobe Daugherty, 22 (Photo credit: Stephen Moore)
“Before coming here, I was in need of guidance...I found comfort here at The Spot and people who cared about me. It has been a win-win situation all around.” ”
“As part of our strategic commitment to build pathways out of poverty, The Spot has been a tremendous resource for us to meet young adults where they are in life without judgment,” said Rena Sharpe, Chief Operating Officer for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. “Through collaboration with KentuckianaWorks and other partners, we not only help them overcome obstacles but also put them on a pathway to success.”
Funding for the Go Grant comes from the U.S. Department of Labor through the nonprofit FHI360. Multiple city government agencies and community organizations are collaborating with The Spot on this project, which takes a holistic, system-wide approach to serving young adults in need. Partners include the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections and Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods, the Louisville Urban League, JCTC, Joyfields Institute, BuildEd, and GlowTouch.
For more information about The Spot and how to get involved, visit www.TheSpotKY.org.
Media coverage of the event:
WAVE: Spot Program to receive 700k federal grant to help Louisville’s at-risk youth
WDRB: $700,000 federal grant will help fund programs bringing 'hope and opportunity' to Louisville youth
WLKY: $700,000 federal grant on the way to help get Louisville's at-risk youth on path to success
WHAS11: 'Give them opportunity': Louisville program aims to provide resources to young people
Louisville Public Media: Louisville group providing job training to at-risk youth receives $700,000 grant
