NEW YORK -- In an effort to combat gun violence, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that new staff with the state's SNUG Street Outreach Program will be sent to sites in 10 New York communities.

She spoke virtually at a team training about the impact its workers can have.

"I need you to help us, to use your skills, mediate conflict, mentor young people and work with local partners. Show them what success looks like," Hochul said.

The SNUG program, which is "guns" spelled backwards, is a violence reduction program established in 2009. 

Currently, there are 11 of these programs across the state. 

Hempstead, Mount Vernon and Yonkers are among the cities that will see new outreach workers.