For Immediate Release:
September 29, 2022
For More Information:
Adam Garber, CeaseFire PA Executive Director, (267) 515-1220, adam@ceasefirepa.org
MEDIA RELEASE
CeaseFirePA Joining White House “Building a Better Pennsylvania”
Investments are tackling gun violence during a surging epidemic
PHILADELPHIA — In the last two years, Pennsylvania and municipalities across the Commonwealth have invested more than $170 million in violence prevention programs. The investment was made possible by hundreds of millions of federal funding provided by the Biden-Harris Administration.
CeaseFirePA Education Fund’s Executive Director highlighted success stories and the need for continued focus at a special White House event on Thursday, September 28th.
“Investing in people is in investing in safe, vibrant communities. And, that’s exactly what the Biden Administration has done. While making progress on gun safety proposals through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, they’ve also provided critical resources to communities to expand proven programs to save lives from the gun violence epidemic.”
Garber plans to highlight new and expanding efforts funded over the last 18 months including:
- Outreach programs that reach potential shooters before a violent act occurs and that help to counsel alternative solutions in Johnstown, Braddock, Allentown, and Philadelphia
- Partnering with the community and law enforcement through Group Violence Intervention programs coordinated through District Attorney’s offices in York, Chester and Delaware County;
- Victim services and grief counseling that prevents retaliation in Philadelphia with NOMO, Mothers In Charge Inc. among others, and in Pittsburgh through Foundation of Hope;
This funding was allocated to the PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) with bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania state budget for last fiscal year and continued in the current fiscal year. More can be found about the current open grant period on PCCD’s website.
“There is a bipartisan pathway forward to ensuring everyone can live a life free from gun violence so they can thrive. And it was hypercharged finally thanks to the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.”
“When combined with critical gun safety policies in the historic Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, this Administration has put the lives of Pennsylvanians front and center in Building a Better Pennsylvania.”
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