The Albany community is banding together in the time of need, and now New York State is joining in on those efforts.

Albany will soon reap the benefits of $2.2 million in funding from the state. The money is going toward making the streets safer, a violent year with nine homicides so far.

"From time to things like this are going to occur, we're going to have upticks in crime, and we need to lean into it. We need to be relentless in working on what we can do to provide opportunity and hope," said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

One of the victims shot and killed in that violent spree was anti-gun violence advocate Elijah Cancer. He worked closely with the Albany 518-SNUG outreach program. A $50,000 annual grant is being created in his name.

SNUG Director Jarome Brown, is not sure how the money will be put to use, however, he says it may go to adding extra outreach workers in high crime areas. Brown says the money is a drop in a bucket, but the meaning behind it will send waves throughout the community.

"People who have been through the struggles, been through the re-entry program, it's going to speak volumes for the community that he comes from and the legacy that he laid here in Albany," Brown said.

Mayor Sheehan says Cancer's story proves those who are involved in violence can make a change -- and why the city will not give up.

"We made an investment and that investment resulted in somebody changing the trajectory of their life. We have to be relentless; we can't give up on anybody," Sheehan said.

The other portions of the grant will go toward unemployment efforts, job training and mental health services. In total, the state has invested more than $15 million in anti-violence efforts so far this year.