Senators Hughes and Street Present Level Up Philly with $500,000 for Youth Mentorship and Anti-Violence Work

Senators Hughes and Street Present Level Up Philly with $500,000 for Youth Mentorship and Anti-Violence Work

September 8, 2026

Philadelphia, PA − September 8, 2026 − Senators Vincent Hughes and Sharif Street joined Level Up Philly Founder, Pastor Aaron Campbell, staff, and over 600 Level Up Philly students to celebrate $500,000 in new state funding for the organization, from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Pastor Campbell kicked off the check presentation by saying, "Because of advocacy and support from leaders like Senator Hughes and Senator Street, we are able to do this work. And I truly believe this work is changing the city."

Level Up Philly was launched in 2019 and typically has about 1,000 students from 151 different schools around Philadelphia attend programming, Monday through Wednesday.

"It's important these students understand how special this program is and how special they are. No other program in the Commonwealth is structured like Level Up. No other youth program in Pennsylvania is serving students from 151 schools, and we want even more students to come and benefit from this space and program," said Senator Hughes. "We are proud of these young people, and we want them to continue to lift themselves up with the help of Level Up Philly."

At Level Up Philly, students have access to a home cooked meal, a math lab, a STEM lab, a room where viral dance battles have taken place, and most importantly leaders and mentors who make students feel seen, welcome, and safe.

Senator Sharif Street added, "I'm honored to be here with you all. I know Level Up students come from all over Philadelphia. Pastor Aaron is making a safe space for everyone, including kids from my district in North Philly."

According to the Center for American Progress, Community Violence Intervention programs, like Level Up Philly, have nationally reduced shootings by as much as 60% and reduced arrests for violent crimes by more than 70%. The work of Level Up Philly and other area intervention initiatives that give young people new opportunities and community are a key factor in Philadelphia's declining violence metrics, with the city seeing a 40% decline in homicides in the past year.

Ultimately, what keeps students coming back to Level Up Philly is the mentorship, leadership, and love provided by Pastor Campbell and his hard-working staff. Many kids who had previously been involved in gangs, violence, or behavioral struggles are now walking through Level Up Philly's doors, learning new skills, and turning a new page for their future.

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