ROYERSFORD, PA — State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) has announced that more than $700,000 in state funding has been allocated to four organizations in Senate District 44 through the Building Opportunity through Out-Of-School Time (BOOST) Grant Program. The funding, awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), aims to expand out-of-school programming opportunities for at-risk youth across Chester County.
Designed to support evidence-based programs that foster engagement, learning, and personal development outside regular school hours, the BOOST grants target vulnerable school-age youth. Programs eligible for funding include before-school, after-school, and summer activities that provide mentoring and structured, safe environments.
“The importance and impact of quality afterschool programs and opportunities cannot be understated, and I am so grateful that our Commonwealth is investing in these programs in SD44 and across the state,” Muth commented. “This programming helps ensure that all students have a safe place to learn, grow, and socialize in all our communities when the school day ends. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of these grant recipients to give all students an opportunity to thrive.”
The four organizations receiving funding include the following:
- Parkesburg POINT Youth Center was allocated $250,000 to enhance its after-school program, which serves 1,000 at-risk and low-income youth. The program will focus on improving social, emotional, academic, and career readiness outcomes while accommodating growing participation.
- Chester County Economic Development Foundation secured $218,135 for the RISE (Readiness Increases Skills & Employability) project, which is designed to benefit over 1,600 underserved students at Coatesville Area High School. The program includes activities such as Career Interest Surveys, Career Fairs, After School Mini-camps, and Work-based Learning experiences to prepare students for employment opportunities.
- Arts Holding Hands and Hearts received $141,000 to expand their trauma-informed Restorative Justice programming, targeting 630 at-risk youth involved in or impacted by the juvenile justice system.
- Downingtown Community Education Foundation was awarded $100,000 to establish after-school and summer programs within the Downingtown Area School District. The new programs will prioritize academic success, student engagement, and parent involvement at four Title 1 schools and schools identified for improvement.
This local allocation is part of a larger $11.5 million statewide investment approved earlier this week under PCCD’s BOOST initiative. The funding, included in Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 state budget, seeks to provide meaningful opportunities that not only benefit individual students but also strengthen the communities they serve.
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