MCKEESPORT, PA, July 22, 2024 – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis stopped by McKeesport’s LaRosa Youth Club – where he spent many afternoons as a child and preteen–to highlight how the newly signed bipartisan state budget will provide millions for afterschool programs to keep Pennsylvania communities safe and give kids more opportunities.
“As someone who was a Club Kid when I was growing up, I know firsthand the value of afterschool programs,” said Lt. Gov. Davis, who leads the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “These programs keep kids safe during the critical hours from 3 pm to 6 pm, and they provide opportunities for enrichment. That’s why I’m incredibly proud that the bipartisan state budget includes funding for afterschool programs as part of our comprehensive approach to making Pennsylvania communities safer.”
Earlier this month, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the 2024-25 state budget, which:
• Invests $11.5 million to create a statewide Building Opportunity through Out-of-School
Time (BOOST) program through PCCD, which will aim to reduce community violence by providing more afterschool learning opportunities for young people;
• Invests $45 million in proven community-based programs to reduce violence through PCCD, including a $5 million increase for the successful Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program, which supports a wide range of models focused on reducing community violence and relies on community groups that are most in tune with specific local needs;
• Includes a $5 million increase for the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund at PCCD, which provides resources for places of worship, community centers, and other entities to equip themselves with security measures;
• Increases funding for domestic violence services by an additional $2.5 million through the PA Department of Human Services (DHS).
“Not only here in Pennsylvania, but across the country, our youth are faced with countless challenges that they must overcome as they grow into productive citizens,” said state Sen. Jim Brewster. “Community institutions like this club make a difference in children’s lives on a daily basis. They are here to play, learn, and build relationships that will last a lifetime.
“The need for such programs like BOOST is absolutely undeniable,” said state Rep. Matthew Gergely. “The LaRosa Youth Club is an example of what these programs can achieve. With this additional funding, they can expand their reach.”
A June 2021 report by the Joint State Government Commission calculated the return on investment for out-of-school time programs as approximately $6.69 for each $1 invested in Pennsylvania.
The Afterschool Alliance estimates that for every Pennsylvania child enrolled in an afterschool program, there are four more waiting for an available program.
The LaRosa Youth Club provides first-class enrichment opportunities to the youth of McKeesport, setting them on a successful path to adulthood. They focus on leadership, citizenship, education, recreation, community service, and healthy life skills. Kids receive daily homework tutoring and access to extracurricular, engaging educational programs. The club also provides organized sports and physical education, as well as an afterschool meal and a safe environment with multiple amenities.
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