Lieutenant Governor Davis Highlights 2026-27 Budget Investments to Reduce Violence and Keep Kids and Communities Safe

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August 03, 2026 - Pottstown, PA

Lieutenant Governor Davis Highlights 2026-27 Budget Investments to Reduce Violence and Keep Kids and Communities Safe

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis held a roundtable discussion at the YWCA Tri-County Area (YWCA) to highlight how the Shapiro-Davis Administration's 2026-27 budget continues to invest in community-based violence prevention and out-of-school programs that are helping to reduce crime and keep kids and communities safe.

"I'm proud to say I was a Club Kid, spending most afternoons at our local Boys & Girls Club, so I understand how important it is for young people to have safe places they can go to learn and grow," said Lt. Gov. Davis, chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). "Violent crime is down statewide since Governor Shapiro and I took office because we're taking a comprehensive approach to making our communities safer - supporting law enforcement, investing in community-led prevention efforts, caring for victims, and addressing the root causes of violence. Our 2026-27 state budget continues investments in organizations like those who are sitting around this table with me today, so we can keep making progress, because even one life lost to gun violence is one too many."

YWCA Tri-County Area recently received a $500,000 Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grant from PCCD to launch a youth-led, violence prevention out of school program for middle school students that elevates their safety concerns and empowers them to help prevent violence in their schools and communities. This year, the YWCA also received Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction (SAEDR) funding from PCCD to launch a new series of prevention-focused early childhood and family wellness programs.

Roundtable Participants:
Lt. Governor Austin Davis, PCCD Chair
Strive Initiative - Anna Sanchez-Fischer
Resilience Resource Center - Joseph Torre, Founder and Clinical Director
Laurel House - Stacy Dougherty, Executive Director
Pottstown School District - Stephen J Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools
Joe Ciresi - State Representative
YWCA Tri-County Area - Kelly Grosser
Trellis 4 Tomorrow - David Ryle, Director of Programs
Student - Olivia Williams - YW Rise 2 Thrive and Kelsey's Klubhouse Advisory Board member
Parent - Michael Williams
ACLAMO - Doug Ferguson, MPA, Ed.D., Director of Development

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