Mayes: More than $2.42 million awarded to address gun violence epidemic

The Violence Intervention and Prevent Grant Program began in 2021

PA SAFE Caucus    April 4, 2024 | 12:28 PM

PITTSBURGH, March 27 – Today, state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, announced the awarding of more than $2.42 million to address the gun violence epidemic, allowing organizations within the city of Pittsburgh to continue their work to prevent violence.

“With gun violence spiking since 2020 and increasing by 46% in 2021, this funding will assist three organizations in the 24th Legislative District with addressing the gun violence epidemic,” Mayes said. “Through these grants, Kingsley Association, Three Rivers Youth, and East End Cooperative Ministry may provide more programs that engages youth with high risk factors for experiencing substance use and violence. With nearly one-third of Pittsburgh’s homicide victims being teens in 2021, it is only common sense that we must prevent these travesties through these proactive programs and passing bills that prevent gun violence.”

The grants include:

  • $950,000 to Kingsley Association for its Teen L.E.A.D. Program, which engages at-risk teens in the East End to prepare them for high school and assist in the transition after graduation.
  • $926,557 to Three Rivers Youth to expand diversion programs for middle school and high school students who violate school district policies, as well as students with high risk factors for substance use and violence.
  • $545,720 to East End Cooperative Ministry to offer violence prevention programming to K-12 students in the Pittsburgh School District.

Additional information on the projects is available here.

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