Better Work
  • Delivers Jobs for Life workforce training to justice-involved and underserved adults at locations including the Muscogee County Jail, Victory Mission, Freedom House, and Rutledge State Prison.
  • Expects to engage approximately 80 students and 40 volunteers through 7–8 classes covering communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, teamwork, job readiness, and career planning.
  • Requests $28,633 (receiving $10,000), toward a $147,633 project; goals include improved graduation, employment, and job retention outcomes, plus fewer disciplinary infractions among incarcerated graduates.
 
Boyz 2 Men ’26
  • Operates the MATCH program—Mentoring, Affirmation, Teaching, Counseling, and Healing—for youth ages 6–17 through tutoring, counseling, mentoring, family workshops, and violence prevention.
  • The application estimates benefits for 300 youth and 30–35 families, while its detailed performance plan calls for approximately 250 students enrolled and 384 hours of mentoring and tutoring.
  • Requests $45,000, (receiving $5,000), toward a $112,800 project, with success measured through attendance, surveys, academic improvement, partner feedback, and youth engagement in positive activities.
 
Building Wellness
  • Delivers Stewards of Children training to help adults recognize, prevent, and respond appropriately to child sexual abuse.
  • Plans to train at least 500 adults annually, including educators, caregivers, childcare providers, and people in youth-serving organizations.
  • Requests $23,265, (receiving $5,000), toward a $25,850 project and will evaluate participation, knowledge gained, confidence in recognizing warning signs, and willingness to report suspected abuse.
 
CCC — Columbus Community Center
  • Proposes year-round STEM activities and an eight-week summer camp for approximately 20–25 children ages 5–12.
  • Seeks stronger academic and social skills, better attendance and interest in STEM, fewer behavioral problems, and greater family participation.
  • Requests $27,772 , (receiving $15,000),toward a $96,422 project; results will be assessed through sign-in sheets, pre- and post-tests, parent surveys, and youth summaries.
 
Claflin / My Brother’s Keeper
  • Provides reentry support, mentoring, life-skills instruction, job preparation, vocational training, and family-strengthening services for adults and youth.
  • Expects to serve 25 adults and 25 youth in Muscogee County through referrals from schools, agencies, churches, parents, probation, and corrections partners.
  • Requests $50,000 , (receiving $10,000), toward a $55,000 project, with quarterly evaluations focused on education, employment preparation, family reintegration, and reduced recidivism.
 
Clement
  • Uses CarePortal to connect the vetted needs of vulnerable children and families with churches, businesses, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Anticipates serving approximately 500–600 people annually; its recent results report 568 individuals served and nearly 89% of CarePortal requests fulfilled.
  • Requests $15,000 , (receiving $15,000),toward a $16,950 project to prevent foster-care entry or reentry, stabilize foster and kinship placements, and support safe family reunification.
 
Col Scholars 2026
  • Serves 53 middle-school, high-school, and college students through mentorship, enrichment sessions, tutoring, grade monitoring, and college guidance.
  • Provides SAT/ACT preparation, laptops and calculators, assistance with school expenses, and tutoring when a student’s GPA falls below 3.0.
  • Requests $26,000 t, (receiving $5,000),oward a $30,050 project and will track grade progression, academic performance, college readiness, and arrests or criminal charges among scholars.
 
CORTA CPG 2026-2027
  • The Columbus Regional Tennis Association expects its free TennisWorks! program to serve more than 400 youth through after-school sessions and summer camps.
  • Each school-year session combines tennis instruction with tutoring or enrichment and a snack; summer camps add longer activities and meals.
  • It requests $30,000 , (receiving $15,000),toward a $77,795 project and plans to track participation, retention, tennis skills, and academic progress.
 
CSO
  • The Columbus Symphony Orchestra estimates its music education activities will reach 1,110 young people: about 90 at three teaching sites, 620 through school programs, and 400 at a Young People’s Concert.
  • Its after-school instruction is shifting to six-week “Symphony Bites” courses, designed to work better when students cannot attend every week.
  • It requests $15,000 , (receiving $5,000),toward a $55,594.80 project to provide music instruction and concert experiences, with the goal of encouraging continued participation in school and community music programs.
 
CTC
  • Columbus Technical College proposes job training for 340 people: 265 at Muscogee County Prison and 75 adult education students pursuing a high school equivalency credential.
  • Participants would receive résumé and interview training and could pursue credentials in fields such as welding, construction, logistics, forklift safety, and commercial driving.
  • It requests $349,870 , (receiving $150,000),toward a $460,617 project and aims for at least 80% of participants to complete training, with employment tracked within 90 days of release or program completion.
 
CVEM ’26
  • Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry proposes support for about 100 people enrolled annually in the Columbus Day Reporting Center, where transportation can be a barrier to treatment, supervision, and work.
  • Assistance would include bus passes, identification documents, work attire, basic necessities, referrals, family workshops, and recovery events.
  • It requests $15,000, (receiving $15,000), toward a $30,000 project and would measure appointment attendance, compliance with program conditions, employment, and progression through the reporting center’s phases.
 
Dream ’26
  • The Columbus Dream Center projects serving 900 families, or about 2,500 individuals, with food, prepared meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, and case management.
  • It also plans school supply and uniform giveaways, a summer youth program, health-related partnerships, and neighborhood resource fairs addressing safety and local needs.
  • It requests $30,000 , (receiving $15,000),toward a $40,000 project and says it will review service counts monthly and progress toward its annual goal quarterly.
 
East Carver
  • East Carver Heights Community Development Corporation expects to serve 122 people through youth soccer, family programming, and academic support at Boxwood Recreation Center.
  • Its proposal aims to give children year-round activities while addressing learning needs, food security, and connections to other family resources.
  • It requests $35,000 , (receiving $20,000),toward a $64,500 project and anticipates gains in self-esteem, grades, cooperation, quality of life, and community connection.
 
Easterseals
  • Easterseals West Georgia proposes structured after-school activities from 3–6 p.m. for children affected by disability, with a focus on social skills, emotional regulation, and positive peer interaction.
  • The project expects to benefit 72 people: 24 participating children and 48 caregivers. It also includes four caregiver sessions on behavior management, de-escalation, and finding resources.
  • It requests $20,000 , (receiving $5,000),toward a $25,000 project to reduce unsupervised time and strengthen children’s behavior and family stability.
 
Emanuel Prep Crime Grant
  • Emanuel Preparatory School of Math and Science seeks $25,000, (receiving $25,000), for curriculum and supporting academic tools within a stated $910,789 overall school budget.
  • The all-male, STEAM-focused school serves pre-K through eighth grade and lists 110 families as beneficiaries.
  • It proposes measuring academic progress through quarterly assessments and annual Iowa assessments, linking educational opportunity to its crime-prevention purpose.
 
FAITH
  • F.A.I.T.H.’s “Men are MAD” initiative focuses on adolescent youth through mentorship, leadership development, family involvement, and restorative community support.
  • It describes monthly work with a cohort of 40 students and their households and estimates that its broader activities will benefit more than 1,000 people or families annually.
  • It requests $63,000, (receiving $20,000), toward a $70,000 project, seeking stronger confidence, educational commitment, family connections, and resistance to negative peer influences.
 
FLOW
  • Flourishing Ladies of the World focuses on girls with repeated school suspensions, using student support and parent training to improve decisions, behavior, and school engagement.
  • Its approach brings families and schools together to replace time lost to suspension with interventions and improve attendance, academic performance, and student–teacher relationships.
  • It estimates reaching 1,600 parents and students and requests $100,000 , (receiving $50,000),toward a $150,000 project.
 
Girls Inc
  • Girls Inc. of Columbus & Phenix-Russell expects to serve about 370 girls through center-based after-school and summer programming.
  • Its mentoring and hands-on programs focus on healthy living, mental health, academics, leadership, and skills to respond to bullying, violence, and other risks.
  • It requests $45,640 , (receiving $10,000),and plans to track attendance, regular social-emotional surveys, academic readiness, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills.
 
Goodwill
  • Goodwill’s BRIDGE GED program directly enrolls about 110 adults ages 18–30 each year for accelerated GED preparation, tutoring, life skills, and career planning.
  • Goodwill estimates serving about 1,100 people annually overall, including people referred to other education or support services when BRIDGE is not the right fit.
  • It requests $30,000, (receiving $30,000), toward a $364,683 project and targets measurable academic gains, GED completion, and stronger paths to work or further training.
 
JOT
  • JOT Inspires’ RISE program plans to serve 35 people annually: 10 women returning from incarceration or under supervision and 25 at-risk or probation-involved youth.
  • It combines mentoring and fitness sessions with job readiness, GED and education referrals, anger management, and behavioral health connections.
  • It requests $18,544.50 , (receiving $10,000),toward a $20,605 project, with goals of stronger education and work engagement, improved decision-making, and less repeat justice involvement.
 
Kingdom Sports
  • Kingdom Sports describes a free, three-month basketball league for at least 72 North Highland children ages 8–11, organized into eight teams.
  • Coaches and mentors use supervised play to teach teamwork, discipline, conflict resolution, confidence, and positive peer relationships.
  • It requests $10,000 , (receiving $10,000),toward an $11,559.62 project. The application states a January–March 2026 project period and an October 2025 funding need date.
 
Legit Station
  • Legitimation Station helps fathers establish legal relationships with their children so they can seek custody and visitation rights.
  • Its coordinator recruits and supports volunteer attorneys and paralegals who help fathers prepare and file court documents; the program reports serving roughly 100–130 fathers annually.
  • It requests $17,000, (receiving $17,000), toward a $19,850 project, connecting increased parental involvement with its goal of stronger family stability.
 
Living Mosaic
  • Living Mosaic Collective proposes converting a blighted Warm Springs Road property into a community greenhouse and activity space.
  • Planned programming includes gardening, art, creative reuse, and self-sufficiency skills; the new organization estimates about 100 direct participants.
  • It requests $5,000 , (receiving $5,000),toward a $13,165 project, aiming to increase constructive use of the site and reduce loitering, vandalism, and other problems there.
 
Micahs Promise
  • Micah’s Promise proposes countywide education to help youth, residents, and professionals recognize and respond to child sex trafficking.
  • Its work spans prevention training, earlier identification through schools and other agencies, and trauma-informed support for survivors, including services at the Girls Rise Home.
  • It requests $25,000, (receiving $20,000), toward a $191,000 project. Its estimated reach of 72,100 largely includes media and digital exposure, alongside in-person events and training.
 
NFOAAY
  • Neighborhoods Focused on African-American Youth proposes expanding Community Study Halls at Elizabeth F. Canty Homes and Warren Williams Homes for an estimated 200 students and family members.
  • The weekday after-school program provides reading and math help, homework support, STEM activities, and character and life-skills workshops, with additional parent engagement.
  • It requests $187,659 , (receiving $15,000),toward a $219,622 project and aims to improve grades, school conduct, attendance, and parents’ involvement in their children’s education.
 
Omega
  • This shorter Omega Lamplighters form also states a goal of serving 100 young men in grades 3–12, including 15 elementary, 25 middle-school, and 60 high-school students.
  • It requests $68,300, , (receiving $30,000),with travel listed as the largest detailed expense at $43,000, followed by a $10,000 clothing allowance.
  • Its narrative and outcome fields are blank. Like the form reproduced in the longer packet, it lists $81,200 in expenses near the front but $94,200 on the detailed budget line.
 
Open Door
  • Open Door Community House expects its Mathews Promise Academy to serve 275 K–12 students through after-school academic support and an eight-week Summer Academy.
  • Students receive reading and math help, homework assistance, enrichment, and meals; the program also works with families, teachers, and counselors.
  • It requests $20,000 , (receiving $15,000),toward a $514,924 project and sets goals for grade-level reading, limited school absences, and advancement to the next grade or graduation.
 
Overflo '26
  • Overflo Outreach Ministries presents a four-part, $50,000(receiving $15,000) proposal covering youth support, workforce development, and community prevention events.
  • The plan allocates $12,500 to A Place for Peebles, $15,000 to an education, mental-health, and life-skills hub, and $12,500 to the Sweepers mentoring and career pathway program.
  • A further $10,000 would support community events, including school-supply and hygiene backpacks, haircuts, and youth recognition activities.
 
Right Start
  • Right from the Start proposes relationship, parenting, and family-strengthening education for an estimated 3,680 people across schools and community programs.
  • Its largest components are REAL Essentials in ninth-grade classes at nine high schools and All Pro Dad in eight elementary schools, alongside smaller programs for young men, parents, and adults.
  • The organization requests $32,040 (receiving $30,000)toward a $182,780 project, aiming to improve communication, conflict resolution, parenting, and family connections.
 
Safehouse
  • Safehouse Ministries proposes Back 2 Work & Off the Streets, a 10-week program for 10 people at the Freedom House emergency shelter.
  • Twice-weekly sessions would cover job readiness, leadership, financial literacy, accountability, and access to community resources.
  • It requests $6,545.25 (receiving $5,000)toward a $7,272.50 budget, with the goal of helping participants find work and permanent housing and spend less time in shelter.
 
Scouts
  • Scouting America’s Chattahoochee Council proposes reaching about 450 young people, primarily in south and east Columbus.
  • Its activities include STEM and law-enforcement career exploration, crime-prevention and safety learning, and a juvenile-diversion component emphasizing mentoring, conflict resolution, and service.
  • The council requests $35,000 (receiving $20,000)toward a $95,000 project to expand access, provide positive adult role models, and support youth leadership.
 
Second Chance
  • A Second Chance W.O.R.K.S. proposes serving about 1,700 students, parents, and guardians through schools, alternative settings, group homes, and community locations.
  • The program focuses on students facing repeated suspensions, pairing interventions with parent or guardian training and alternatives to exclusion from school.
  • It requests $150,000(receiving $10,000) toward $210,000 in listed expenses, aiming to improve attendance and academic progress while reducing repeat discipline and justice-system involvement.
 
Service for Humanity
  • Service For Humanity proposes a Sigma Beta Club mentoring program for 50 middle- and high-school boys in Muscogee County.
  • The program combines positive male role models with educational, cultural, social, athletic, and leadership activities intended to build character and discourage violence.
  • It requests $31,725 (receiving $78,000)toward $87,560 in listed expenses, with participant progress and school advancement among its measures of success.
 
STEAM Expo
  • Let’s Grow STEAMx proposes a college-and-career readiness program expected to reach 3,750 young people, primarily through a large Youth College & Career Expo.
  • Smaller POWER Workshops, Ready.Set.Summer activities, and Project MentorMe would provide more sustained planning, skill-building, and mentoring.
  • The organization requests $75,000 (receiving $15,000)to help participants explore careers and education, develop goals and portfolios, and understand scholarships and financial aid.
 
STEAM RACE
  • Let’s Grow STEAMx proposes River City Race to Readiness for about 550 participants, culminating in a gravity race day planned for May 2027.
  • Youth would design, build, and test model and full-scale gravity-powered cars while learning engineering, teamwork, and career-related skills; a fall pilot also proposes twice-weekly math and reading tutoring for 25 participants.
  • The application requests $46,750 (receiving $5,000)toward a $101,750 project, with goals spanning academic confidence, mentoring, and exposure to STEAM careers.
 
Take the City
  • Take the City/Harvest Movement proposes two connected efforts: regular neighborhood outreach and continued operation of Redeem Boutique, which supports women facing exploitation, addiction, abuse, or instability.
  • Trained volunteers would build relationships and connect residents to resources; the boutique would provide a safe setting, mentoring, life-skills support, and referrals.
  • The application requests $26,000 (receiving $15,000)toward a $67,000 project and estimates 1,500–2,500 people will be engaged over 12 months.
 
Truth Springs
  • Truth Spring seeks support for its 10-month, paid Trade School program for 20 adults facing employment barriers such as a criminal record, limited work experience, or lack of transportation.
  • Participants receive job-readiness training followed by paid apprenticeships in areas including construction, urban farming, and culinary arts, with access to certifications, GED preparation, and coaching.
  • The organization requests $60,000(receiving $60,000) toward a $608,868 project; its goal is to move graduates into stable, full-time work.
 
Turn Around
  • Turn Around Columbus proposes continuing the George Washington Carver Victory Garden & Farm as an outdoor learning site and youth-run agricultural program.
  • The farm combines elementary-school enrichment and mentoring with paid work-based learning for high-school youth, while growing healthy food for the surrounding community.
  • It requests $24,992(receiving $20,000) toward $49,992 in expenses and estimates more than 760 people will benefit—a figure that includes students, families, volunteers, and produce recipients or customers.
 
Voices of the Valley '26
  • Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus seeks to continue and expand its South Campus at Spencer High School, aiming to grow enrollment from 14 to 50 students.
  • The program would remain free for South Campus singers, covering tuition, uniforms, and materials while offering weekly rehearsals, peer mentoring, and joint performances with the Downtown Campus.
  • It requests $44,270.50(receiving $25,000) toward $58,270.50 in expenses. Its estimate of 800 beneficiaries includes singers, staff, and concert audience members—not 800 student participants.
 
Whole Person
  • Whole Person Ministry proposes a community-based mentoring program for 60 boys ages 10–18, with monthly sessions at Greater Peace Baptist Church.
  • The program focuses on character, academic and social development, and positive choices, drawing participants through school and community partnerships.
  • It requests $45,890(receiving $20,000) toward $163,480 in listed expenses, including personnel, learning materials, activities, and transportation.
 
Wright '26
  • Wright Way Fitness & Boxing proposes serving up to 100 youth and young adults annually, including about 65 consistent participants.
  • Its crime-prevention model combines boxing and mentoring with social-emotional skills, parent support, educational help, career exposure, and community service during after-school and evening hours.
  • The application requests $49,000(receiving $30,000) toward a $69,000 project, aiming to improve self-control, decision-making, school engagement, and access to positive opportunities.
 
YMCA
  • The YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus proposes its Achievers Program for 40 middle-school students at the A.J. McClung YMCA.
  • Working with school counselors, it would provide tutoring, mentoring, leadership and life-skills activities, and exposure to college and career pathways.
  • The YMCA requests $12,000, (receiving $10,000) with intended outcomes including stronger academic performance, confidence, social skills, and readiness for future education and work.
 
YOGC
  • The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus proposes expanding its Youth Orchestra Academy for an estimated 50 students from Title I middle and high schools.
  • Selected students would receive orchestra instruction and participation at no cost, with transportation, instruments, coaching, and meals helping remove barriers.
  • The organization requests $25,000 (receiving $10,000)toward $35,750 in expenses, seeking to build musical skills, discipline, belonging, and access to arts education.
 
Young Life
  • Young Life seeks to strengthen two school-year programs: MentalitYLift, which helps high-school students plan for graduation and life afterward, and YoungLives, which mentors pregnant and parenting teens.
  • Activities include one-on-one mentoring, life-skills and career discussions, help navigating parenting and childcare resources, and development of a follow-on program for young mothers after graduation.
  • The application requests $15,000 (receiving $15,000)toward $59,240 in expenses and aims to reach more than 200 students and volunteers combined.

 

 

Office of Crime Prevention

Our Mission

The Office of Crime Prevention is an organization committed to enhancing the lives of the residents of Muscogee County through programing provided by organizations throughout Muscogee County. Through those efforts we strive to create a healthier community and enhance life for all citizens within those borders. It operates through collaboration, education, citizen programming and advocacy to preserve safe environments and communities for the citizens of Columbus.

Our Vision

A safe and crime free city that becomes the example for other cities to follow in a quest to be a better community.

Our Values
  • We believe the citizens are an integral part of the success of the Office of Crime Prevention.
  • We believe Crime Prevention starts with five key components.
    • Recreation
    • Education
    • Drug and Alcohol Intervention
    • Employment
    • Community Policing
  • We believe Crime Prevention starts at the grass roots level.
  • We value being consistent in our actions and vision.
  • We value respect in attitude and action.
Board Members

Updated list maintained by Clerk of Council »