2024-2025

BOOST Funding


PROJECT SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS

from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency School Safety and Security Committee on the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Grant Program


On September 9, 2024, PCCD announced the availability of $11.5 million in state Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) funding to support the FY2024-25 Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program. Learn more about this process & APOST supports on our BOOST Funding page.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) staff and the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Workgroup are recommending approval of 44 applications and 2 statewide applications, totaling 46 applications. A total of 10 Allegheny County OST organizations are being recommended for $1,802,785 in funding. Many thanks to everyone who advocated for dedicated out-of-school time funding in Pennsylvania over the past decade to make these investments a reality.

Local Organizations

These Allegheny County organizations received recommendations for FY2024-25 BOOST Funding.


Allegheny Youth Development - $139,520

Allegheny Youth Development (AYD) plans to expand its SEL programming and overall service capacity to improve the lives of children in Pittsburgh.

Hopebound Ministries Inc. (dba Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs) - $79,000

Hopebound Ministries, Inc. (dba Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs) plans to support a free 10-week summer camp program and a free after-school program serving children in an underserved neighborhood located in an isolated section of Moon Twp., with no public transportation.

Melting Pot Ministries - $250,000

Melting Pot Ministries (MPM) plans to provide OST services to at-risk youth. MPM’s OST programming focuses on providing safe, enriching environments for students during outside of school hours, including after-school and summer breaks.

SLB Radio Productions Inc. - $192,410

SLB Radio Productions plans to provide a full day, 5 days/week, 6-week OST program for at-risk teens at its Youth Media Center located in Pittsburgh's Northside during Summer 2025 and Summer 2026.

Volunteers of America of PA - $208,184

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania plans to enhance its OST program, The Youth Empowerment Program, in Sharpsburg, PA. The Youth Empowerment Program is dedicated to supporting underserved and underrepresented youth in a trauma-informed, safe space that fosters connections and positive development.

Early Excellence Project - $235,446

The Early Excellence Project plans to expand High Impact Tutoring Program to out-of-school time (OST) settings in the Southside of Pittsburgh.

Learning Disabilities Association of PA - $60,000

The Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania plans to provide high-quality reading instruction to at-risk youth within communities with higher needs. This aims to support over 100 at-risk students across seven locations in Pittsburgh who struggle with reading because they are more likely to face incarceration and school problems compared to those who read at grade level.

North Hills Affordable Housing (dba HEARTH) - $250,000

HEARTH plans to expand its on-site out-of-school time programming for children and youth in its transitional housing program, all of whom have experienced homelessness and domestic violence.

Steel City Squash Inc. - $250,000

Steel City Squash plans to expand its out-of-school time programming that utilizes education, athletics, and mentorship to empower under-resourced youth to achieve academic, athletic, and personal success.

Youth Opportunities Development - $138,225

Youth Opportunities Development plans to provide daily, year-round afterschool and summer programming for underserved youth in Clairton, PA. The focus of this initiative is on mentoring, education, and recreation.