From CeaseFirePA (http://www.ceasefirepa.org):
Harrisburg, PA—Today, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a budget that invests $105 million in violence prevention programs. More than doubling the size of last year’s program, this funding will allow community-led organizations and local governments to expand evidence-based programs to intervene and prevent violence before it happens.
CeaseFirePA has been working with a wide range of community members, faith leaders and local officials to advocate for these resources. Their Executive Director, Adam Garber, issued the following statement:
“The General Assembly’s budget will expand programs working to end a cycle of violence that has gone on for too long in the Commonwealth. Community organizations will hire more outreach workers to de-escalate conflicts before they become shootings. New group violence intervention (GVI) programs will create collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and neighborhoods to provide critical services to those most at-risk for being involved in violence. Trauma-informed care will be able to help survivors heal, not retaliate. And that’s just the start.”
“This historic victory for safer communities happened through a concentrated effort over the last two years by community leaders, community-based programs and survivors to help legislators understand how to interrupt the cycle of gun violence through evidence-based, targeted programs. They visited the Capitol with us in April, gathered in Delaware County and Erie this spring, and shared solutions in the media constantly. Now, they will have the resources needed to expand and sustain their life-saving work.”
“We’re thrilled with this investment. The General Assembly’s work will not be done until it passes legislation to keep firearms out of the hands of those who want to harm themselves or others. CeaseFirePA and our partners stand ready to work with anyone who wants to ensure every Pennsylvanian can live a life free from gun violence.”
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