McBride Visits Green Beret Project to Highlight Community-Based Youth Mentorship and Violence Prevention

Dover, DE -Last week, Congresswoman Sarah McBride visited the Green Beret Project in Dover to tour the organization's facility and meet with staff and participants to learn more about how its mentorship and leadership programs support at-risk youth across Delaware. The visit underscored the importance of community-based approaches to violence prevention and youth development.

"The Green Beret Project shows what's possible when young people are given consistent mentorship, structure, and support," said Rep. McBride. "Programs like this help keep kids engaged, safe, and on a path toward graduation and meaningful careers-and they strengthen the entire community in the process."

The Green Beret Project is a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship, academic and behavioral support, fitness training, and service opportunities for middle and high school students. During the visit, McBride toured the facility, spoke with program leaders, and heard directly from a participant who has been involved with the program since childhood.

McBride's visit builds on her work in Congress to support evidence-based, community-driven strategies to reduce violence and expand opportunity. She is a cosponsor of the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, which would establish a Community-Based Violence Intervention Program grant to support trauma-informed responses that engage individuals at highest risk and help break cycles of harm.

Through the FY26 appropriations process, McBride has supported funding for key violence prevention and public health initiatives, including the Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Community and Youth Violence Prevention program, and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act programs. She has also urged the Department of Labor to prioritize Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding which supports pathways for young people through the YouthBuild and the Young Adult Reentry Partnership programs.

In Delaware, McBride secured federal funding for the construction of three Delaware Family Justice Center sites-two in New Castle County and one in Sussex County. These centers centralize services for survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and other forms of violence, helping families access support, safety, and stability in one place.

The visit highlighted how sustained federal investment, paired with strong local leadership, can help community organizations expand their reach and ensure more young people have the support they need to thrive.

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