Haytai Reborn Justice Movement seeks county funding to sustain operations, proposes youth bridge and public‑health violence prevention

Haytai Reborn Justice Movement (HRJM) cofounders LA Jones and Steve Chalmers presented program results, finances and an operating-request to Durham County commissioners during a budget work session and asked the board for $1.5 million: $500,000 to sustain core operations and $1 million to launch two new initiatives (a youth bridge for disengaged 16–20-year-olds and a public‑health violence-prevention model).

HRJM leaders described services and partnerships Jones emphasized that county dollars had been treated “with intentionality” and framed HRJM as a coordination hub that connects justice‑involved and other vulnerable residents with wraparound services. “Every dollar has been spent with intentionality,” she said. HRJM reported working with Durham Technical Community College and multiple community partners.

Program metrics presented (HRJM slides and remarks) - HRJM said it provided high-touch services and partnerships; presenters reported figures for the current year but the slides and spoken remarks included inconsistent participant totals. Jones said the operation “a…