PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 1, 2025 – Governor Josh Shapiro met with young people, local educators, community leaders, and elected officials at the Community Education Center in West Philadelphia to discuss the impact of his Administration’s investments in community-based violence prevention. During the meeting, the Governor engaged with students and teachers at Beyond the Bars, a Philadelphia nonprofit that empowers youth through music and leadership development. This program has significantly expanded thanks to over $530,000 in support from the Commonwealth’s Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program.
From the beginning, Governor Shapiro has prioritized public safety, providing historic resources to both law enforcement and community-based organizations dedicated to reducing violence. Beyond the Bars is one of more than 130 initiatives across Pennsylvania supported by the Commonwealth’s Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel secure in their community. My Administration has invested in law enforcement and community efforts to reduce violence,” said Governor Shapiro. “To build safer communities, we need a comprehensive public safety strategy. My Administration has made historic investments, supporting law enforcement and delivering funding directly to the communities that are working hard to create pathways to opportunity for our young people. Programs like Beyond the Bars demonstrate that when we invest in our youth and support community-based solutions, we can break the cycles of violence and build safer, stronger neighborhoods.”…