A Birmingham City Schools mentoring program was given $100,000 from Everytown for Gun Safety to support the program’s goal of preventing gun violence in Birmingham, officials said Tuesday.

The mentoring program, Growing Kings, was founded in 2009 with the goal of working with underserved male youth through school-based enrichment and mentoring. The program has worked with more than 1,000 boys and young men in Birmingham.

The $100,000 grant is part of Everytown’s effort to reduce gun violence by supporting community-based organizations working to reduce gun violence.

“This generous grant will aid in our ability to track students' performance and outcomes beyond the school-based programs - more specifically in the criminal justice system” said Growing Kings Executive Director, Marcus D. Carson. “Additionally, funds will be used for advocacy efforts that deepen the impact with participants by creating more opportunities for civic engagement and cultural immersion, leveraging trauma informed healing practices, and by strengthening relationships with students’ families and other youth-serving organizations in the community.”

Officials said the grant will provide needed financial support for the organization’s mentoring program, Journey of a King. About 500 boys and young men participate in the mentoring program every week of the school year. Officials say the grant will cover the cost of hiring an additional program manager, thus allowing the program director to focus on other program evaluation and analyses.

“Partnerships with community businesses, organizations, and leaders are a key factor to our program,” Carson said. “The varied backgrounds and experiences of our mentors provide an unmatched ability to communicate effectively and sincerely with the young male students, all while avoiding condescending pitfalls.”

In late February, the City of Birmingham launched a gun violence prevention campaign dubbed “#IncreasePeace.”