Kankakee, IL – Kankakee United was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000 from the City of Kankakee’s Walmart. The grant was pursued by Kankakee United City Lead, Linh Williams.

“As the City Lead for Kankakee United, I am very pleased and excited to have been awarded community grant funds for our initiative! I have a strong passion for giving back and this grant will no doubt aid in our efforts to educate the community with regards to eliminating employment barriers, mental health issues and anti-gun violence programs,” said Kankakee United City Lead, Linh Williams.

Funds from the grant will go toward programming, events and incentives.

“Many residents do not realize there is not an abundance of staff in some of our departments but the City is fortunate to have members of the administration who are passionate and dedicated to the work that needs to be done to strengthen our community. I am incredibly proud of Linh Williams, Executive Assistant to the Mayor for her commitment to the youth of this community and leadership within our Kankakee United initiative. She has been both assertive and deliberate in pursuing additional resources for Kankakee United and our community. As we move Kankakee Forward through this initiative, we will be intentional with these funds to focus on our goals to reduce violence among youth in the community. Additionally, I would like to thank Walmart and General Store Manager, Chris Delgado, for partnering with the City and awarding us this grant,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong started the Kankakee United initiative after attending a National League of Cities conference in 2018. The mission of Kankakee United is to reduce gun violence involving African-American boys and men under 25 years of age in Kankakee by uniting community resources to increase neighborhood engagement, address trauma related concerns, and remove employment barriers. Data shows more than half of all gun related incidents involve African-American males.

Kankakee United is open to the entire community. Last month, Kankakee United partnered with Prairie State Legal Services to host a virtual expungement fair where dozens of participants were able to get assistance with having their records expunged or legal counseling. To learn more about Kankakee United, visit https://citykankakee-il.gov/Mayor%20Initiatives/kankakee-united.php. If you would like to volunteer at the next event or get involved, email kankakeeunited@citykankakee-il.gov.

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The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant, and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow, and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive, and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.

 

Download the Press Release - Kankakee United Awarded $2,000 Grant from Walmart