Bull City Future Fund: Durham mayor launches citywide partnership to support youth programs
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Months in the making, Durham Mayor Leo Williams launches the Bull City Future Fund, a community and corporate partnership that will support nonprofits.
Mayor Williams officially launched the partnership on Friday. The money will benefit nonprofits that work with young people across the Bull City. As one of his priorities since taking office, Williams has talked about creating a mentorship program that would steer young minds away from violence.
Willams says he believes investing in programs that target our youth in a positive and engaging way is one avenue to tackle violent crimes involving young people across the city. He included the topic in his first State of the City address in April.
"It says where's the future? Right here. Whose life is it? Mine. What are you doing with it? Living it by any means necessary. Why? Because my ancestors fought for me. Who lives inside of you? A king," said Tiberius Goddard pointing at the Purpose Learning Lab mantra.
He is one of the many students the nonprofit serves. It exposes underserved kids to the world around them.
"I come here because they do reading, STEM and robotics. They also help me with my emotions because my dad is incarcerated," said Goddard.
Mayor Williams is hoping to reach kids like Goddard through the Bull City Future Fund, which is an effort that supports nonprofits already doing the work.
"There were many folks worried about why it took so long. At face value, I am less worried about doing it wrong. I want to take time and get it right," he said.
It's something Maya McMillian with Purpose Learning Lab, Inc. said could be a solution to gun violence by providing organizations like hers with the money to continue changing lives. The nonprofit has moved from one space to another because she says the need is so great.
"My reaction is I want to see it," said McMillian. "It will open up doors for his future so we aren't opening up jail cells, but STEM."
A few weeks back, Eyewitness News spoke with Destiny Alexander with POOF. On Friday, we followed up on questions about when the mayor's program would launch.
"I feel hopeful today. In the past, I felt like we've been guessing for when. I've been here for three years thinking when do I get help from the city and mayor. Today, he gave us a date," he said.
These organizations are already making an impact and hope the city sees the value in their work.
The mayor said his office is accepting applications now and he hopes to launch this effort in January of next year.
One of the missions of the fund is to offer stakeholders in the private sector an opportunity to invest in the wellness and sustainability of communities in Durham.
Williams had hoped to roll it out sooner and told ABC11 just a week ago, on August 6, that it takes time to build working relationships. Williams also admitted he underestimated the time it would take to implement the program.
The supporting partners of the Bull City Future Fund include the United Way of the Greater Triangle and the Triangle Community Foundation.
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