Springfield businesses and a union have committed $35,000 to fund a summer jobs program for youth in an effort to address a spike in violence. Mayor Jim Langfelder announced the initiative. He was joined by at least three-dozen local elected officials along with community leaders, businesses and labor union representatives.
The initiative could provide jobs for teens over 15 years old and money for summer camp registration fees to cover families who can't afford them. Money pledged toward programming will be collected by the mayor's office.
Springfield has witnessed rising violence this year, including three shooting deaths in the last two weeks. Langfelder says it is unfortunate that some youth have turned to guns as a solution for their problems.
