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SRC asks Norristown council to fund summer workforce plan for young men, citing violence prevention goals
Summary
SRC, a local nonprofit, asked council for funding to run a workforce development program this summer to employ young men for neighborhood cleanups, mentorship and skills training; presenters said prior efforts reached 350 residents and they aim to expand to 60 blocks and 1,500 residents with council support.
Representatives of Systemic Reformative Change (SRC), a Norristown nonprofit, told council on Tuesday they seek municipal support to expand a workforce development plan that would employ young men this summer to perform block cleanups, learn trades and receive mentorship.
Tyree Wallace, SRC's founder and CEO, said the group engaged more than 350 residents from January through April through block cleanups, and asked the council to support a program that SRC says would beautify more than 60 blocks, engage 1,500 residents and employ young men in structured, paid work rooted in mentorship and skills training.
Nut graf: SRC framed the request as a prevention strategy aimed at giving at‑risk young men structured employment and mentorship rather than responding only to violent incidents; the group asked council to fund its workforce plan for the summer.
SRC representatives described recent activities including a “50 for 50” event (50 men paired with 50 youth) and neighborhood cleanups, and urged broader participation from parents, police, council and other community stakeholders. SRC said the program is not charity but a strategic investment in prevention and criticized community disinvestment as a driver of violence.
Ending: SRC asked the council to consider funding the workforce program; no formal council action on funding was recorded at the meeting.
