The Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania will receive $1.8 million to launch violence prevention programs. The goal is to reach 150 teenagers through five Pittsburgh-area clubs. “This grant allows us to introduce an element we believe is missing from our current program…mental health counseling, to serve children who may have experienced significant trauma in their communities or significant challenges they are not necessarily prepared to face,” president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Western PA, said Chris Watts. Its purpose is to help communities reduce gun and gang violence across the state. “This grant was $100 million statewide and $21 million was dedicated to Allegheny County. The Boys and Girls Club is working with a collaboration of partners who have also received this grant,” Watts said. This funding will make mental health counseling free for adolescents both in-person and virtual. It is provided by their partner, Vitable Health “We also know that sometimes transportation is a significant barrier. Paying to be a part of these programs is a barrier, and so is just their time and what they choose to do with their time, whether it’s a job or functions.” needed at home. This grant will help defray transportation costs, free access to our programming, as well as provide a stipend for children who want to be a part of our program,” Watts said. A key part will be the mentorship. Watts is preparing now to start hiring successful mentoring coaches who will build trust and relationships with teens. “We want people who want to connect with children. We are looking for individuals who want to be mentors, who want to help provide resources and support for teens to help them develop critical skills to help them succeed in life,” Watts said. Watts expects the grant terms to be finalized in February.1 , and then they will begin the hiring process.They hope to start providing these services to teenagers in late spring.
The Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania will receive $1.8 million to launch violence prevention programs.
The goal is to reach 150 teenagers through five Pittsburgh-area clubs.
“This grant allows us to introduce an element we believe is missing from our current program…mental health counseling, to serve children who may have experienced significant trauma in their communities or significant challenges they are not necessarily prepared to face,” president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Western PA, said Chris Watts.
The grant comes from the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency Commission’s Violence and Intervention Program. Its purpose is to help communities reduce gun and gang violence across the state.
“This grant was $100 million statewide and $21 million was dedicated to Allegheny County. The Boys and Girls Club is working with a collaboration of partners who have also received this grant,” Watts said.
This funding will make mental health counseling free for adolescents both in-person and virtual. It is provided by their partner, Vitable Health.
“We also know that sometimes transportation is a significant barrier. Paying to be a part of these programs is a barrier, and so is just their time and what they choose to do with their time, whether it’s a job or necessary functions at home. This grant will help defray transportation costs, free access to our programming, as well as provide a stipend for children who want to be a part of our program,” Watts said.
A key part will be the mentorship. Watts is preparing now to start hiring successful mentoring coaches who will build trust and relationships with teens.
“We want people who want to connect with children. We are looking for people who want to be mentors, who want to help provide resources and support for teens to help them develop critical skills to help them succeed in life,” Watts said.
Watts expects the grant terms to be finalized on Feb. 1 and then they will begin the hiring process. They hope to start providing these services to teenagers in late spring.