The state grants aim to reduce gun violence and expand after-school initiatives.
Four organizations serving students in Berks County have been awarded state grants to reduce gun violence and expand after-school initiatives.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has announced that it has awarded more than $65 million in Building Opportunities Through Out-of-School Time and Violence Intervention and Prevention grants to 177 eligible projects across the state.
The following organizations that serve Berks students received funding:
• Muhlenberg School District received $500,000 to expand its Summer Bridge initiative, designed to counter the district’s significant academic proficiency gaps and the effects of high poverty on student learning. Serving about 1,500 students annually, the program provides four weeks of targeted academic intervention combined with enrichment opportunities.
• Pennsylvania State University received $500,000 to continue Not One More: A Peace and Justice Project, a youth violence intervention and prevention initiative serving Berks. The program — which operates through Penn State Berks in partnership with the Reading School District, Tower Health Reading Hospital, the Reading Housing Authority and The Village of Reading — focuses on students ages 12 to 24 who are at high risk of involvement in or exposure to violence.
• The Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County received $499,984 to launch EMPOWER Resilience, a new violence-prevention initiative serving ages 5 to 18 in Reading, particularly those residing in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty, trauma exposure, school disengagement and elevated risk factors.
• Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania received $500,000 for its Integrated Student Supports model across five schools in Lehigh, Northampton and Berks counties. The project continues existing school‐based prevention services.
State Rep. Manny Guzman said he was pleased the Olivet Boys & Girls Club is a recipient of these grant programs.
“The Boys & Girls Club is a staple in our communities, and I’m ecstatic to see it receive this funding to expand its footprint in Reading,” the Reading Democrat said. “After-school and summer programs give our youth structure, community and a place to express themselves in a positive way.”
He said he looks forward to seeing the EMPOWER Resilience initiative make a real difference in the community.
Olivet Boys & Girls Club CEO Rick Perez also applauded the investment into the program.
“Olivet is excited for this great opportunity to expand its programming and impact to our youth,” Perez said. “We are thankful for the support of our stakeholders and belief in the upward trend of Olivet. The future is bright.”
State Sen. Judy Schwank said she is grateful to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the work they do, investing in the safety of communities.
The Wyomissing Democrat emphasized the competitiveness of these programs and gave the award recipients credit for submitting strong applications.
“The recipients of these awards deserve credit for recognizing needs and taking action to meet them,” she said.
By Karen Shuey | kshuey@readingeagle.com | Reading Eagle