(HARRISBURG, Pa.) — Community Violence Intervention (CVI) leaders gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 24, 2026, to deliver a coalition letter signed by over 150 organizations and leaders advocating for increased investments in statewide CVI programs that de-escalate conflict, prevent shootings and help communities thrive. They shared stories of impact.
These gun violence prevention programs have helped Pennsylvania decrease gun homicides by 46% since their 2022 peak. This represents historic lows in many communities, which are now the safest they have been in decades. CVI programs put trained, trusted messengers on the ground in Pennsylvania communities most impacted by gun violence, where they can intervene and break the cycles of retaliation, victimization, and trauma.
To ensure sustained progress, those gathered called on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include $80 million for FY 2026-27 for the Violence Intervention Program. They also urged the General Assembly to separately fund Governor Shapiro’s request for $12.5 million for the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) program, for a total of $92.5 million in violence intervention and prevention resources.
Advocates, survivors and CVI leaders said it’s imperative that state lawmakers approve these investments to prevent backsliding. In their meetings with legislators, advocates presented a letter signed by over 150 public health, faith and local leaders across Pennsylvania.
Representatives from the following groups joined CeaseFirePA in Harrisburg:
- Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley
- EMIR Healing Center, Philadelphia
- P3 (Pushing Progress Philly)
- Benchmark, Lancaster
- Penn Medicine
- City of York (Tiff Lowe)
- Germantown Men Who Care (Philly)
- Chester Community Coalition
- The Lincoln Center- Bucks County and lower Montco focused
- Cure Violence Pittsburgh
- South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace
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