West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster has visited the Mizizi Boys Mentorship in Coventry to see first-hand how a £5,000 grant from his My Community Fund is transforming the lives of young men in the city.
The funding, courtesy of cash the police have seized from criminals, has helped launch the Empowering Young Boys: Safe Streets, Bright Futures project. Operating out of the Moat House Leisure Centre, the initiative provides boys aged 10–18 with structured mentorship, leadership training and essential life skills.
By connecting participants with positive male role models, the project directly prevents and tackles youth crime and knife-related incidents, by offering constructive alternatives to the streets.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I am fully committed to constant and unremitting action to prevent and tackle youth violence and knife crime. Organisations like the Mizizi Boys are vital, because they provide the mentorship and stability young men need to thrive.
“By investing in their potential today, we are creating a safer, more resilient West Midlands for tomorrow. It is a pleasure to support this project, via the brilliant My Community Fund, that replaces vulnerability with direction and purpose.”
Founded by Gad Turuthi, Mizizi – meaning ‘roots’ in Swahili – focuses on building strong foundations of character. The programme includes weekly football sessions, crime prevention workshops and digital literacy training to break cycles of poverty and criminal involvement.
Gad Turuthi, founder of Mizizi Boys Mentorship, added: “We are incredibly grateful to the PCC for his support and for taking the time to meet our young leaders. This grant is a lifeline that allows us to expand our reach and provide a safe space where boys can grow in confidence.
“With the Commissioner’s backing, we are helping a generation of young men in Coventry find their identity and choose a path away from violence.”
For more information on the PCC’s My Community Fund, visit: My Community Fund – West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner
Back to News Archive