The Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania is receiving $1.8 million to launch violence prevention programs, and the goal is to reach 150 teens through five clubs in the Pittsburgh area. “This grant allows us to offer an element that we feel is missing in our current program… mental health counseling, to serve children who may have experienced significant trauma in their communities or major challenges, that they are not necessarily ready to face,” said Chris Watts, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club at Western PA, the grant comes from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime, Violence, and Intervention program. Its purpose is to help communities reduce gun and mass violence across the state. “This grant was $100 million across the state, and $21 million is for Allegheny County. The Boys and Girls Club is working collaboratively with partners who are also recipients of this grant.” It is provided by their partner, Vitable Health. “We also know that sometimes transportation is a huge barrier. Paying to participate in these programs is a barrier, as well as just their time and what they choose to do with their time, whether it’s a job or essential jobs at home. This scholarship will help support transportation costs, and free access to our programs, as well as providing a stipend for children who would like to be a part of our program.” Watts is now preparing to begin hiring successful coaches who will oversee building trust and relationships with teens. “We want people who want to connect with kids. We’re looking for people who want to become mentors, who want to help provide resources and support to teens to help them develop essential skills to help them succeed in life,” said Watts. Watts expects grant terms to be finalized in February. .1, after which they will start the hiring process. They hope to start offering these services to teens in the late spring.
The Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania receives $1.8 million to launch violence prevention programs.
The goal is to reach 150 teens across five clubs in the Pittsburgh area.
“This grant allows us to offer an element that we feel is missing in our current program… mental health counseling, to serve children who may have experienced significant trauma in their communities or major challenges, that they are not necessarily ready to face,” said Chris Watts, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Western. PA.
The grant comes from the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency Commission’s Violence and Intervention Program. Its purpose is to help communities reduce gun and group violence across the state.
This grant amounted to $100 million statewide, and $21 million went to Allegheny County. The Boys and Girls Club works collaboratively with partners who are also recipients of this grant,” Watts said.
This funding will make mental health counseling free for teens in person and virtually. It is supplied by their partner Vitable Health.
We also know that transportation can sometimes be a major hindrance. Paying to participate in these programs is a constraint, as well as just their time and what they choose to do with their time, whether it be a job or necessary jobs around the house. This grant will help support transportation costs, free access to our programs, as well as provide a stipend for children who want to be part of our program,” Watts said.
An essential part will be mentoring. Watts is now preparing to begin hiring successful coaches who will build trust and relationships with teens.
“We want people who want to connect with children. We’re looking for people who want to become mentors and who want to help provide resources and support to teens to help them develop essential skills to help them succeed in life,” Watts said.
Watts expects the grant terms to be finalized on February 1, after which they will begin recruitment process. They hope to start offering these services to teens in the late spring.