Featured photo-Peckham Student Award Ceremony recognizing student achievements. Photo provided by Peckham, Inc.
Written by Tanya Terry
The Growth Opportunities (GO) Program aims to lessen violence in Flint and Lansing by helping prepare corrections-involved youth and young adults for employment. Peckham has been awarded a $2 million grant from the United States Department of Labor to launch the program.
“We know that community violence is a big and growing concern,” stated Nate Burmeister, reeentry services manager for Peckham.
“Through our programs already, we deal with a lot of young people who deal with violence directly and indirectly,” Burmeister added.
Burmeister said the recently awarded grant is aiming towards those currently engaging in violent conflict, as well as those who have been previously or are currently involved with the justice system. The program helps participants learn other ways to handle problems so they can reach their goals.
According to Sarah Britton, director of prevention and reentry services for Peckham, many students in Peckham’s existing programs have been shot or injured through violence.
Peckham has been in the Flint community since 2018. Peckham staff have been working on the grant application, which was about 35 pages long, for about a year.
“It was a learning experience for us to see the impact that violence is having on the youth that we’re working with,” said Britton. “We had to explore potential solutions and rely on some of our community partners to really see how we can impact the community. That’s why our community partner in Flint is Without Walls (WOW). We’re super excited and feel like this is going to be a huge blessing to the young people that we know we can impact.”
Youth ages 18-24 who have been involved with criminal justice system and who are impacted by community violence may be eligible for the program.
Karen Utsey, Growth Opportunities (GO) program coordinator at Peckham, Inc., explained there is an assessment tool that will be used to identify the ideal candidates for various cohorts. WOW, Genesee Health System and other organizations and nonprofits will also be making referrals.
Willie Smith, a participant in a Peckham youth program, was shot and killed on Jan. 16, 2023. He was one of the first two Peckham students to complete their high school credits through their program and is described as “a bright light.” He was only 16 when he died.
“We will still present his family with his cap and gown during the Mt. Morris commencement,” Utsey said.
The other student who completed the high school program first is named Kemaria. She worked diligently all summer, never missing a day, and found employment after graduating on her own.
Utsey said Kemaria’s story gives a perfect example of how Peckham intends its program participants to be able to thrive.
“She’s being rewarded for her hard work.” Utsey said.
Peckham’s youth programs throughout the Flint community include a job readiness program, which places the youth in a paid position for work experience through Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools. They also have a middle school program, in partnership with the court. In addition, through Mentor Flint, Peckham works with college students and retirees. Also of great importance is Embers, a trauma-informed 12-week program for girls who are victims of human trafficking or other sexual crimes.
There is also a Peckham manufacturing facility on Linden Road where individuals with barriers to employment are hired.
“I’m just excited about expanding our programming, reaching more young people who need involvement with our program to help prevent any recidivism,” said Utsey. “I’m excited about expanding the program in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties to make the places we live a little safer.”
