INDIANAPOLIS — A community-based program put on by Eskenazi Health and the Marion County Health Department is focused on ending youth violence.
Indy Heartbeat celebrated the progress being made by the kids they serve. The kids are young people referred to them from Indianapolis Public Schools, Metro Police, and even the Indianapolis Housing Agency.
The young people have experienced trauma in their life.
The group just received a $60,000 crime prevention grant from the city.
Cora Tate tried to take her own life by suicide earlier this year after she said she was bullied.
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She credits the Indy Heartbeat by giving her coping skills that helped save her life.
"Love myself … respect myself … be me," Tate said. "Don't let nobody else tell me how to be me."
"We are a group that believes in direct services … reducing risk factors … and increasing protective factors … that is our focus, that is how we plan to utilize the money," Tyrone Humphrey, Indy Heartbeat program manager, said. "To continue to work and make a difference. To provide the families and the youth in the community a safe haven."
Grant money from the city will also go toward funding staff opportunities and programs for families.
The ultimate goal is to reduce crime and arrests among the youth in their program.
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