Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania Secures Over $1 Million in State Grants to Advance Teen Violence Prevention and Youth Programming

January 22, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) is proud to announce the award of more than $1 million in multi-year grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). This critical funding will enable BGCWPA to expand its services and continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of at-risk youth across the region.

The grants include $950,000 over three years from the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program and $204,000 over two years through the Building Opportunities for Out-of-School Time (BOOST) initiative. These grants reflect BGCWPA’s longstanding commitment to creating safe spaces and enriching opportunities for youth in underserved communities.

“These grants are in direct response to what our youth, teens, and families are telling us they need,” said Christopher Watts, President & CEO of BGCWPA. “The BGCWPA team works tirelessly to provide safe and inclusive places for youth and while serving as dedicated mentors and providers. This funding allows us to deliver transformational programs to ensure the young people we serve have the skills and support they need to persevere and advance towards their potential.”

The $950,000 VIP grant will support BGCWPA’s efforts to provide no-cost mental health care, counseling services, and in-person clinics for teens at risk for gun violence. These services will be integrated into evidence-based mentoring and career development programs where teens earn stipends at five key locations: Downtown Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville, Carnegie, McKeesport, and Shadyside.

BGCWPA serves communities facing significant challenges, including high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and gun violence. For example, McKeesport’s violent crime rate of 47 per 1,000 residents underscores the urgent need for intervention. By offering structured programming, mentorship, and violence prevention resources, BGCWPA aims to disrupt cycles of violence and provide young people with the tools they need to make positive life choices.

The VIP-funded initiative will:

• Serve over 100 youth per year through BGCWPA’s CareerWorks High program.

• Ensure 95% of participants identify a positive adult mentor.

• Train staff members in de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and conflict resolution.

• Increase engagement with violence interrupters and community outreach teams.

BGCWPA’s BOOST grant is included in the $1.5M that was allocated to PA Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. This grant will reduce barriers to accessing out-of-school-time programming at BGCWPA’s Clubhouses for youth ages 8-12 with a specific focus on scholarships and transportation. By offering high-quality programs—including mentoring, STEAM activities, literacy, and sports— the grant will support more families in under-resourced communities to access the academic and social development that the Clubhouses provide.

These programs address critical needs in communities where many youth face housing instability, limited academic support, and transportation challenges. By creating accessible and engaging environments, BGCWPA empowers youth to succeed and become productive members of their communities.

The PCCD recently approved $56.5 million in grants to support community violence reduction and afterschool programs across Pennsylvania. These funds, part of the 2024-2025 state budget, reflect a comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety.

BGCWPA is honored to be a part of this statewide effort and remains steadfast in its mission to serve more than 7,500 youth annually through programs that promote academic success, career readiness, and emotional well-being.

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and its programs, visit www.bgcwpa.org.