Vicksburg honored nationally for Youth Development Program

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg has been named one of three national winners in the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Target’s fifth annual Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant Program. Vicksburg was recognized in the small city category (under 100,000 residents) for the impactful work of the Vicksburg-Warren County Youth Development Center (YDC), which addresses the root causes of poverty, crime, and trauma among local youth.

The grant program, launched in 2020, awards grants to cities demonstrating innovative approaches to policing and community engagement. Vicksburg will share in a $350,000 grant pool with two other winning cities: Cincinnati, Ohio (in the large city category), and Kent, Washington (in the mid-size city category)

The United Way of West Central Mississippi, a key partner in the Youth Development Center’s efforts, also praised the announcement.

“This award affirms what we already know—Vicksburg is doing the hard work of building equity and opportunity at the community level,” said Michele Connelly, Executive Director of United Way of West Central Mississippi. “It’s a testament to the power of collaboration.”

The YDC was created in direct response to the city’s deep generational poverty, which has long contributed to barriers in education and increased youth crime. The center uses a holistic intake process to evaluate all aspects of a child’s life and connect them with tutoring, mentoring, therapy, and positive engagement activities. A full-time police officer, funded by the Vicksburg Police Department, collaborates with the Police Station, Youth Court, and the YDC to build relationships with students and their families.

Over the past 19 months, the center has served 208 children through face-to-face appointments. Eighty-four of those students receive regular tutoring or mentoring, and 90 percent of all participants are African American.

“At the YDC, our mission extends far beyond reducing crime—we are committed to fostering hope and opportunity for our youth,” said Dr. Susie Calbert, Executive Director of the YDC. “Securing these funds ensures we can sustain our vital tutoring and mentoring programs. That consistency is essential for driving meaningful, long-term change in our community.”

“This award is a powerful acknowledgment of the commitment our city has made to its young people,” said Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. “Through the Youth Development Center, the community is tackling challenges head-on and creating real opportunities for our future leaders. We are proud to see our efforts recognized on a national stage.”

Now in its fifth year, the USCM and Target Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant Program has supported dozens of cities nationwide that are advancing equity through reform-minded public safety initiatives.

“Target is proud to partner with the U.S. Conference of Mayors in support of the Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant,” said Isaac Reyes, Target’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. “This initiative aims to identify, support, and promote police policies and practices in cities that have been shown to be most effective in advancing the goal of justice for all.”

“We are proud to partner with Target to provide support for these worthy programs,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve is essential to providing the safety and security that every person deserves. These cities and their mayors are leading the way to a brighter, more equitable future for all.”

To learn more about the Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant Program, visit usmayors.org.

For more information about the Vicksburg Warren Youth Development Center, please contact Dr. Susie Calbert, Executive Director of the YDC, at 601-636-8633 or visit the center at 2020 Mission 66, Vicksburg, MS 39180