An ending and a beginning...

The Department of Justice discontinued the national Weed & Seed initiative last June. Started in 1991, Weed & Seed grants have funded more than 300 successful Weed & Seed sites throughout the country including Euclid. Their mission has been to “weed” out criminal activity and “seed” in social services.

From 1996 through June 2010, the south side of Euclid has been a Weed & Seed site receiving approximately $2 million in DOJ grant funds. These funds provided the police department with new equipment and training used in surveillance, apprehension and prosecution. Gun and drug reduction teams, community policing efforts, and targeting troublesome areas greatly reduced criminal activity. Police will continue to use these methods, equipment and training to benefit the entire city of Euclid for years to come.

Grant funds also brought needed services and information to south side residents. Some of the programs included youth activities at the Southwest Police Mini Station, foreclosure prevention assistance, new resident information packages, employment search training, neighborhood association support, expanded juvenile diversion programs, GED and youth tutoring. These specific programs will be able to continue through the support of Euclid community policing, Fred’s Club youth tutoring, Euclid A.B.L.E. adult education, Euclid Police Athletic/Activities League, and many dedicated volunteers.

The Euclid Weed & Seed steering committee will continue to be involved in the community as the Euclid Youth First committee, focusing our efforts on helping local youth. We will continue with our youth programs, including the brochure of activities and social services for Euclid kids; the Mayor’s Youth Roundtable to bring young people and the city together; the Generation Gap diversity presentations; the annual Youth Explosion! resource fair; and the Express Yourself youth talent show. Jeff Beck, former Euclid Weed & Seed vice chair, will now chair Euclid Youth First.

Our Weed & Seed philosophy remains unchanged. We believe that safe and vibrant neighborhoods, financially stable families, positive youth activities, and available social services can help grow healthy, strong youth. We will continue to form partnerships and collaborations with others who have the same passion and we look forward to this new beginning.