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Q&A
Changes in Young Men's Initiative (YMI) funding and programming
0:24:23
ยท
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Council Member Stevens inquires about changes in Young Men's Initiative (YMI) funding, noting an increase in the preliminary plan despite a previous reduction. Deputy Commissioner Rattray explains the current status of YMI funding and programming.
- Additional funding of $325,973 was added for YMI in FY2026
- There are no current shortfalls in the YMI portfolio
- A new executive director, James Stratford, is bringing a fresh vision to YMI programming
- Recent initiatives include a college fair attended by approximately 3,000 young people
Althea V. Stevens
0:24:23
None.
0:24:23
Oh well maybe after this year we'll have some new needs, right?
0:24:26
The preliminary plan included an additional 325,973 for the young men's initiative in fiscal twenty twenty six for the for the men's program.
0:24:38
Last year at this time, the department reduced YMI by 200,000 stating that this decrease would not have an impact on programs.
0:24:49
Why were the additional funding added to the preliminary plan?
0:24:52
Did the reduction that was made last year impact programming?
0:24:55
Are there any new shortfalls to the funding for this program?
0:25:09
Welcome.
Darryl Rattray
0:25:13
Good morning chair Stevens.
0:25:15
So there are no shortfalls to our YMI portfolio.
Jess Dannhauser
0:25:19
Mhmm.
Darryl Rattray
0:25:20
The additional funding is supporting some direction from YMI.
0:25:26
Of course, as you know, YMI has a new executive director, James Stratford who is from The Bronx.
Althea V. Stevens
0:25:34
Y'all really in here today working at home.
Darryl Rattray
0:25:36
Let me
Keith Howard
0:25:36
tell you.
Althea V. Stevens
0:25:37
He was like, think I'm be nice today.
Darryl Rattray
0:25:39
And he he's coming in with a really good vision of how we can evolve YMI programming to better connect to young people across the city.
0:25:49
So everything from a college fair that had close to I wanna say 3,000 young people there about a week or two ago to some other initiatives that we're rolling out.