This past September, Juma learned that it had been selected by the Kresge Foundation as one of thirteen path-breaking organizations for an inaugural cohort that will continue to develop innovative approaches to human services.

The initiative is part of Kresge’s focus on the advancement of human services to accelerate social and economic mobility for people with low incomes in America’s cities.

During the two-year program, Juma will receive a $500,000 grant to support its work. Juma staff will also participate in a learning and collaboration network to grow as leaders and so that lessons from our work may be shared with the wider field.

Heather Saunders, Juma’s Chief Development Officer, calls the grant “a validation of our new strategy working with opportunity youth.”

With this award, Juma will be able to further develop and expand the YouthConnect program nationally.