Vallejo officials reported Sept. 25 that the city was awarded a $2,420,000 Prop 64 grant to fund youth prevention, workforce development and teen programming through 2028, and that the Greater Verlo Recreation District (GVRD) has a Prop 68 award to renovate Franklin Field.

Victoria Grace Barksdale, Vallejo's youth coordinator, said the Prop 64 grant comes from state cannabis-related funds that must be reinvested in community prevention and youth services. She said the grant will support prevention and substance-use education, workforce development and targeted youth programming in council-identified districts (2, 4, 5 and 6).

“We were awarded a $2,420,000 grant that runs through 2028,” Barksdale said. She described a collaborative approach with community-based partners including Healthy Vallejo Community Support Services, Club Stride / Center for Urban Excellence and others to provide workshops, recruitment and paid youth employment.

Apostle Anthony Summers, executive director of Healthy Vallejo Community Support Services, described youth hires and community cleanups, and said the program had placed more young people into jobs and further education, including placements with the California Conservation Corps.

Barksdale said the Prop 64 plan includes youth scholarships, teen-focused programming and "free days" that would open gym and park facilities at no charge (Franklin gym, Children’s Wonderland Park, Dan Foley and Blue Rock Springs parking) to broaden safe-space access.

Separately, Anthony Ryans, recreation services director for GVRD, said the district received $7,200,000 in Prop 68 funding for Franklin Field improvements, including a proposed turf field, natural-grass field, pickleball and basketball courts, parking, play structures and seating. Ryans said GVRD expects to break ground in 2027 with completion targeted for 2028 and reported that a recent scholarship program helped more than 70 families with up to $300 per family for GVRD programs.

City and district officials said the Measure P funds and other local grants have already supported scholarships and programming and that the city will consider a budget amendment and grant agreement to continue that support. Officials also discussed coordination with VCUSD to deliver prevention workshops on school campuses and to share resources. A district representative noted interest in connecting the grant team with district staff who handle substance-use prevention.

No formal council vote on Prop 64 spending occurred during the 2x2 update; staff said a budget amendment and grant agreement would go to council for approval as a next step.