TOWANDA, PA – Programs to help prevent community violence and keep kids safe are making a positive impact in rural Pennsylvania, as Lt. Gov. Austin Davis saw firsthand in a visit last week to Bradford County’s Supporting Area Families Everyday (SAFE), which recently received a Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
In the most recent found of funding, the VIP, Collaborative Community Violence Intervention (CCVI) and Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) programs received an overwhelming response with 478 applications submitted, requesting more than $174 million — more than three times the current allocation of $56.5 million in funding.
The Shapiro-Davis budget for 2025-26 includes a $10 million increase for the VIP program, as well as $10 million more for BOOST.
At last week’s event, state Rep. Tina Pickett gave a passionate endorsement for SAFE and their work: “It is very unique … we need to help spread this across the state. I think it’s a very workable, unique idea, that … just creates that harmony and that ability for us all to be safe and work together and mostly to watch out for our children.”
Towanda Mayor Garrett Miller also voiced his support for SAFE, saying, “I hope this is a model for the rest of our state.”
Read/watch more:
Towanda Daily Review: Lt. Gov. Davis praises SAFE during Wysox visit
WBNG: Bradford County organization receives $125,243 in state funding
WOLF: State investments to reduce domestic violence
WHTM: State funding to fight domestic violence
NorthCentralPA: Lt. Governor highlights $125k grant to Towanda's SAFE organization
Wyalusing Rocket-Courier: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Visits Wysox