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The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has announced the allocation of millions in grant funding to various organizations in the Harrisburg area. This funding aims to address and prevent violence in local communities. Among the recipients are the Salvation Army in Harrisburg Capital City Region, the Central Dauphin School District, the Red Lion Area School District, and the Bench Mark Program.
According to Senator Patty Kim, over $2 million has been allocated to the 15th Senatorial District through the Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) and Building Opportunities Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants. These grants are part of the state’s effort to combat violence, particularly in areas with high rates of firearm-related crimes, and to expand structured out-of-school programming for at-risk youth.
The grants are part of the FY 2025-26 state budget, which allocated approximately $62.15 million for VIP and BOOST grants. The funding supports community efforts to reduce violence and enhance safety, as well as provide opportunities for youth engagement and development.
State Rep. Dan Goughnour and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano also announced that four violence-prevention programs in the 35th Legislative District would benefit from nearly $1.4 million in new grants, as reported by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. These grants aim to expand services that support at-risk youth in the Mon Valley.
The PCCD continues to accept applications for the 2025–2027 Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs (VDPP), which focus on strengthening community-based strategies to prevent youth violence and delinquency. The program, detailed by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, aims to improve early prevention programs and increase the use of diversion to reduce unnecessary juvenile justice involvement.