PHILADELPHIA, PA — Lt. Governor Austin Davis stood before an energized audience at the Northeast Frankford Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday, delivering a potent message of hope and safety for Pennsylvania’s youth. Announcing more than $11.6 million in state grants through the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s BOOST (Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time) program, Davis laid out a bold vision for strengthening afterschool programs and tackling the root causes of community violence in the state.
“The number one cause of death for young people in America isn’t cancer or car accidents – it’s guns,” Davis stated starkly, underscoring the urgency of the moment. “When we invest in afterschool programs, we’re being smart about safety, and we’re saving lives. There’s no more important metric when we talk about getting things done for the good people of Pennsylvania.”
A Lifeline for At-Risk Youth
With 46 grants totaling $11.6 million approved under the BOOST program, the funding represents the state’s most ambitious afterschool initiative yet. Administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), BOOST aims to provide safe, structured environments for school-age children, particularly those at risk, while offering educational, social, and emotional development opportunities. Less time spent on the streets means fewer opportunities for exposure to violence—a critical correlation driving the program’s mission.
The grants come at a time when afterschool programs are stretched thin due to rising demand and staff shortages. BOOST funding will help reduce waitlists, retain highly-skilled professionals, and create more opportunities for youth to grow in safe, nurturing environments.
Chester County Gets Its Share
Among the 46 recipients, several organizations in Chester County will see significant investments aimed at directly benefiting local youth:
- Chester County Economic Development Foundation received $218,135.30.
- Downingtown Community Education Foundation was awarded $100,000.
- Parkesburg Point Youth Center, Inc. secured $250,000.
These grants aim to support youth development, academic enrichment, and career readiness programs in the county, with a focus on underserved communities. In particular, Parkesburg Point Youth Center serves over 200 young people from low-income families in their afterschool program.
A Strategy to Combat Violence While Empowering Communities
BOOST is more than just an afterschool initiative—it’s a keystone in Pennsylvania’s broader plan to reduce gun violence and build safer neighborhoods. Other PCCD programs like the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) and Collaborative Community Violence Intervention (CCVI) strategies have also received major funding, underscoring a multi-pronged approach to combating community violence.
This holistic method of addressing community safety was mirrored in Lt. Gov. Davis’ remarks. “Afterschool programs are not just about helping kids with homework or keeping them busy. They’re about changing lives, giving kids a safe place to grow, and building stronger, more resilient communities.”
Senator Christine Tartaglione echoed this sentiment. “[This BOOST funding] is a comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence, building safer neighborhoods, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive,” she emphasized during the press event.
The Human Impact of BOOST
The significance of these programs was driven home by speakers like Mahiyah A., a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, and others who shared firsthand stories of how afterschool programs changed their lives. From providing mentorship and fostering self-esteem to improving academic performance, these programs are lifelines for children who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Libby Lescalleet, Executive Vice President of Programs, Partnerships, and Development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, emphasized the critical importance of initiatives like BOOST. Safe spaces and dedicated professionals are crucial for providing opportunities to youth. BOOST is transforming that narrative, creating meaningful impact for young people across Pennsylvania.
Demand Outpaces Funding
Despite the scale of this investment, the demand for programs like BOOST and VIP far outstrips available resources. Pennsylvania received 478 applications requesting a total of $174 million—three times more than the allocated $56.5 million in state grants. These numbers reflect the depth of need across the Commonwealth, where communities are crying out for more resources to keep children safe and engaged.
Building a Safer Future
Lt. Gov. Davis and the Shapiro-Davis Administration have made it clear that this funding is only the beginning. Leaders like State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, a co-chair of the House Afterschool Caucus, are already vowing to advocate for additional funding in future cycles to meet growing demand.
“This dedicated funding—the first of its kind—will make it possible to bring kids off waitlists and into programs that can truly change their lives,” said Fiedler. “No matter what they may face at home or where they live, every student deserves the nurturing environment of an afterschool program.”
This commitment to afterschool programs as a key social initiative represents the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s vision for a safer, more prosperous Pennsylvania. Armed with strategic investments and a growing movement of community leaders and advocates, the administration is forging a pathway to give every child the opportunity to thrive.
For Pennsylvania’s youth, programs like BOOST are more than just an extracurricular activity—they’re a promise of safety, opportunity, and a brighter future. And for communities struggling to find answers to gun violence and inequity, these initiatives represent a step toward meaningful change.
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