Five blocks from where Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was attacked by members of the Trinitarios gang, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an $18.4 million investment for youth-based programs in the Bronx.  Inside the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club in Belmont the governor described the initiative as “unprecedented” and revealed a multi-faceted approach to support activities for Bronx kids.

The initiative, dubbed New Opportunities for Bronx Youth, will offer kids a variety of activities from academics to sports to the arts, in the hope that gang-related activities will decrease.  The murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was still fresh on the minds of the speakers as every official who spoke mentioned it.  Cuomo called the fatal stabbing “heartbreaking” and said, “It is also a call to action for the rest of us to strike back at the causes and conditions that produce violence.”

Guzman-Feliz died from his wounds at nearby St. Barnabas Hospital.  The NYPD has arrested twelve suspects ranging in age from 18 to 29.

“Junior did everything right and he still became a victim of gang violence.  We need to make a commitment to our children, all our children, that we will give them the opportunities they deserve to succeed,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

The hope officials have in the initiative is to make gangs an unattractive route for youths who feel neglected.  “We know gangs fill the void, let’s get there first,” said Cuomo.  “We have put together a package of services and assistance in Junior’s community as part of the justice effort that will start to fill that void that we’ve left.”

The initiative is wide-ranging and covers everything from $1 million to improve infrastructure at community centers to $175,000 community school funding including mental health support.

The governor is also providing $250,000 to support anti-violence youth development program targeting schools and areas with the highest rates of crime and gang activity.  Peer educators will serve as mentors to youth at risk to violence and gang involvement.

The Bronx has seen a rise in gang involvement.  The borough is home to over 4,500 parolees with almost 10 percent described as gang-affiliated.  The city acknowledges that gang activity could be behind the recent increase in violent crime.

Robert Brunson, 60, is a 39-year member of the Black Spades for Peace, a group once known as the Black Spades.  The group delivers food to the elderly, organizes coat drives for the homeless in Hunts Point, and speaks out against violence at precincts throughout the city.  “I wish I had seen this kind of money invested in the Bronx back in the day,” said Brunson.  “Eighteen million dollars can go a long way to help the Bronx.”

Guests that are a part of the NYPD Explorers also applauded the governor’s investment in Bronx youth.  Aileen Pichardo,15, has been an Explorer for eight months and says the money can be put to good use.  “There are some kids that can’t afford the uniforms, but like the program.  I know this money will help.  We want to represent our community in the best light,” Pichardo said.

The bulk of the funds, however, is earmarked for helping kids become involved in sports.  For example, $8 million is designated to help triple the number of youth served by Roberto Clemente State Park.  The baseball and softball facility will be renovated and an academy will be created to provide activities for at least 1,500 kids.

The hope for a better Bronx can be heard in Moises Giron, 18, a lieutenant in the NYPD Explorers.  “Anytime you can get kids off the streets and make them work hard for a positive result, it’s a good thing,” said Giron.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.