Allegheny House Dems: More than $7.3 million secured to expand services for crime survivors, boost criminal justice resources
Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes September 19, 2024 | 4:37 PM
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19 – Members of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation announced today that more than $7.3 million in funding is coming back to the county to strengthen criminal justice programs and bolster services for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.
Some of the funding includes $1.3 million to the Center for Victims and more than $1 million to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, both located in the 36th Legislative District.
“Survivors of domestic violence and other crimes face a difficult road back to feeling safe, strong and empowered,” said state Rep. Jessica Benham, who represents the 36th District. “These grants will fund new resources and program support for these critically important organizations, which are based in our district but serve residents throughout the region.”
The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, based in the 24th Legislative District with services provided across the region, secured $1.2 million to bolster services for domestic violence survivors.
“The center offers a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and also runs programs that give them the tools, resources and confidence to regain independent, empowered lives,” said Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who represents the 24th Legislative District. “The new funding will ensure that this amazing community organization can continue providing these life-changing services for the thousands of adults and children they serve every year.”
Other funding to community organizations includes $507,208 to Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center; $488,981 to Crisis Center North Inc.; $250,000 to Youth Enrichment Services Inc.; and $246,306 to Center of Life.
The Allegheny County Chief Executive Office and other regional associations were awarded more than $1.44 million to strengthen the county’s jail-based Vivitrol drug treatment program, upgrade the county’s crime reporting system, expand resources under the Victims of Crime Act and provide legal aid to survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.
Ross Township was awarded $227,703 for law enforcement technology upgrades and modernization, and various other municipalities were awarded grants to upgrade their crime reporting to align with the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which is the national standard for law enforcement crime data.
A complete list of funding is available here: file:///C:/Users/LLeshne/OneDrive%20-%20PAHofR/Desktop/September%2011,%202024.pdf
The Allegheny County Delegation includes state Reps. Aerion A. Abney, Jessica Benham, Dan Deasy, Dan Frankel, Matthew Gergely, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, Brandon Markosek, La’Tasha D. Mayes, Joe McAndrew, Dan Miller, Nick Pisciottano, Lindsay Powell, Abigail Salisbury, Mandy Steele, and Arvind Venkat.