Reading, PA − March 28, 2024 − The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has approved $2,155,665 in Violence Prevention and Intervention grants for four applicants in Berks County.
VIP grant funding provides technical assistance to address community violence throughout the Commonwealth, with a focus on preventing and intervening in gun and group-related violence. Eligible applicants include community-based or nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education, municipalities, counties, and district attorney’s offices.
The award recipients in Berks County are as follows:
Berks County Adult Probation and Parole Department — $950,000 allocated to support the implementation of cognitive behavioral programming and evidence-based practices targeted toward individuals currently under supervision who were convicted of a firearm-related offense.
Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc. — $792,517 designated for utilizing evidence-based approaches to enhance positive parenting practices, expand positive youth development programming, provide wraparound services, and generally provide more support to Latino youth and their families. This includes partnering with other agencies to provide a variety of programming.
The Camel Project — $273,829 granted for a 36-month program to provide training sessions to educate and empower students, educators, parents/families, and community leaders about the dynamics and impacts of bullying.
CASA of Berks County — $139,319 provided to support the implementation of the Youth in Transition Counseling Program.
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-Berks) applauded the funding for Berks County and praised the recipients for putting together strong applications.
“I’m proud to see the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supporting groups in Berks County that are working hard to address violence in our community,” Schwank said. “This is an impressive group of award recipients, and I’m very grateful for all that they are doing to better the lives of others.”
“These are vital investments in the safety and well-being of all Berks Countians,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “It’s very encouraging to see our community receive the support it deserves, and I commend the dedication of the grant recipients for their commitment to addressing violence in our area.”
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