Vogel Announces More Than $740,000 in Grants to Help At-Risk Youth

HARRISBURG - Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) announced today the approval of more than $740,000 in Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) and Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grants for two projects in the 47^th Senatorial District.

"This money will be put to good use to keep our children engaged in our community and in their education, and help keep them out of harm's way," said Vogel. "By investing in our children, we're investing in our commonwealth's future."

The following project was approved for a BOOST grant:

The Aliquippa School District was awarded $296,305 to launch Healthy Minds Club, a new after-school initiative serving approximately 180 elementary students in grades 1-6. Designed to address academic challenges, chronic absenteeism, social-emotional needs and barriers such as poverty, housing instability, disabilities and limited English proficiency, the program provides structured academic support alongside weekly physical and mental wellness activities.

The following project was approved for a VIP grant:

Community Health Challenge of Southwestern Pennsylvania DBA Keystone Wellness Programs was awarded $446,627 to expand the Drug Free Aliquippa Youth Coalition, strengthen Aliquippa Impact's after-school and summer programs and launch a new cross-age mentoring initiative connecting high school coalition leaders with elementary students. This is in partnership with Aliquippa Impact.

Administered under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, BOOST and VIP grants aim to support local community violence prevention and intervention strategies and after school/summer programs for at-risk school-age youth.

CONTACT: