Salisbury: More than $1 million secured for District 34 vocational training, reentry supports and after-school programs
Rep. Abigail Salisbury April 16, 2026 | 9:24 AM
BRADDOCK, April 16 – New vocational training, reentry supports and after-school programs are coming to the 34th Legislative District, thanks to more than $1 million in new funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today.
Salisbury said the funding includes $500,000 to the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh to expand vocational training and reentry support for 265 adults at high risk of violence involvement.
“The program will provide people at risk with vocational training and related support services, including life coaching, counseling, math and financial literacy, transportation, childcare, trauma recovery and more,” Salisbury said. “For people reentering the community, experiencing homelessness, dealing with substance use disorder or living in communities with elevated crime rates, those services can be life changing.”
Salisbury said that an additional $531,000 will support after-school and summer programs designed to steer youth away from violence.
“I’m thrilled about the new funding for afterschool and summer programs,” Salisbury said. “We have seen the difference these programs make through one-on-one mentoring, homework help and academic support, and activities that create social bonds, build confidence and offer a sense of belonging. Thanks to the new funding, we’ll be able to provide more of these programs.”
Salisbury said the youth program funding includes:
- $450,000 to Rankin Christian Center to expand after-school and summer programs for students ages 6 to 12 in Rankin and surrounding areas. The program will serve about 90 students annually and provide restorative circles, skill-building, lessons in emotional regulation and conflict resolution, behavior support, and activities such as arts, cultural identity programs, STEAM instruction, Taekwondo and West African drumming.
- $44,195 to This Generation Connect to expand its Community Leader Program, a 24-week after-school youth development and violence-prevention program serving 150 teens and young adults in East Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. The program will provide structured sessions to build identity awareness, emotional regulation, healthy relationship skills and conflict-resolution abilities.
- $36,850 to Helping Out Our People for a trauma-informed, after-school intervention and support program for approximately 20 to 35 students annually in the Woodland Hills School District and surrounding communities. The program will offer structured group sessions, healing circles, individual check-ins, expressive activities, coping skills education and safe peer connections.
The funding was awarded through PCCD’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program. More about the program is available here: https://www.pa.gov/grants/search/grant-details/pccd/19