Governor Cuomo pledged millions of dollars to fight gun violence during an announcement several weeks ago in which he declared a state of emergency around the issue.

To fulfill that pledge, the New York State Department of Labor is partnering with local workforce development boards in each area of the state, along with their networks of community partners to provide job training, credentialing and career placement services to ultimately connect at-risk youth to good-paying, permanent jobs.

Unemployed, underemployed and out-of-school youth age 18-24 in areas of cities like Syracuse impacted by gun violence will be eligible.

The dollars are being dispersed according to areas of highest need.

The governor’s plan and Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner’s priorities appear to be aligned.

“My specific interest is how can we partner with other organizations that are already doing good things with youth, to increase the (number) of kids that they are able to help,” Chief Buckner told Capital Tonight. “So, we’re looking for force multipliers.”

Buckner explained he wants to share funding with community groups in order to form partnerships that may ultimately create new funding streams.   

While the Department of Criminal Justice Services is still finalizing the amount of money Syracuse will receive from the state, the Division of the Budget told Capital Tonight that the state's investment will be around $1,015,620 to fund 256 jobs.

When asked specifically what he would like to do with the money, Chief Buckner said he wants to invest it in programs that have evidence-based practices.

“Let’s look at what’s working and increase funding for that, whether it be inside the police department or external in the universe with nonprofits, the education system, organizations that, on a day-to-day basis, are doing good things with our youth,” he said.

A few of the organizations Buckner mentioned by name include the Good Life Youth Foundation, Hillside, and 100 Black Men of Syracuse, which is currently in the process of creating a cadet program in a Syracuse middle school.