BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2014—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley this week delivered thousands of dollars in seized drug money to two Boston non-profit groups that help the city’s Latino youth stay away from drugs, gangs, and risky behavior.

As part of his annual Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program, Conley on Tuesday visited Sociedad Latina in Roxbury and Casa Nueva Vida in Jamaica Plain to present youth workers with a total of $8,000 in cash awards representing assets seized during Suffolk County narcotics trafficking prosecutions. Conley has delivered similar awards to about half a dozen non-profits so far this year, funding safe, healthy activities for kids and teens from all walks of life.

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley (in necktie) delivers a check for $3000 in seized drug money to staff at Casa Nueva Vida in Jamaica Plain, supporting a program that teaches computer skills to homeless and at-risk teens. With Conley are (from left to right) IT Support and Computer Instructor Emilio Ortiz, Development Associate Kathy Woerner, President and CEO Manuel Duran, Housing Case Manager Julia Guerrero, and Family Case Manager Zaida Estremera.

Conley presented a check for $5,000 to Sociedad Latina to support the multi-service agency’s Health Educators in Action Program.  The program teams teen interns with mentors and professionals working in the city’s Longwood Medical Area in order to identify and address public health issues in their communities.  While the youths gain valuable work experience and leadership skills, the community benefits from their efforts to address issues such as substance abuse and violence.

Conley also presented funds to Casa Nueva Vida, which strives to help homeless families out of poverty by providing shelter and services.  The $3,000 grant will allow the group to expand its computer skills training for homeless at-risk teens in order to open up greater career opportunities for the youths.

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley (top row) with youngsters from Sociedad Latina and Director of Organizing and Evaluation Melissa Luna (far right). Conley delivered a check for $5000 in seized drug money to support a program that puts teens together with mentors to address public health issues in their communities.

Groups across Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop will split about $50,000 in cash awards this year at no cost to taxpayers: every cent comes from assets seized during drug trafficking prosecutions. State auditors last year reviewed the process in Suffolk County and gave it high marks for turning “the profits of crime into something positive for the community” while carefully documenting all forfeiture-related income and expenditures.

The annual grant process begins in the summer, with application forms available on the Suffolk DA’s website: http://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/partnerships-and-prevention/asset-forfeiture-reinvestment-program/. Awards are typically distributed in the winter.

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Casa Nueva Vida:

Sociedad Latina: Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley (top row) with youngsters from Sociedad Latina and Director of Organizing and Evaluation Melissa Luna (far right).  Conley delivered a check for $5000 in seized drug money to support a program that puts teens together with mentors to address public health issues in their communities.