HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) announced two Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grant awards designed to expand youth mentorship, improve community safety and enhance workforce‑readiness opportunities in Cambria County.
Flood City Youth Fitness Academy will use its $500,000 award to expand its Youth Mentorship and Apprenticeship Program, which offers year‑round mentoring, STEAM education and skills‑training pathways for students ages 11–18. The initiative aims to strengthen protective factors and prepare youth for careers in high‑demand trades.
The Greater Johnstown Community YMCA will use its $499,368 grant to expand its Safe Spaces prevention initiative, a multi‑partner program providing supervised recreation, mentoring, academic support and meals across multiple sites. The initiative is structured to reach youth outside of school hours and increase community access to safe, structured programming.
“As a founding member of the School Safety and Security Committee, I am proud to support organizations that are delivering real results to improve the safety of our communities,” said Langerholc. “These investments strengthen our commitment to protecting our youth, reducing violence and building a safer, more resilient Cambria County.”
The School Safety and Security Committee was established within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency through Act 44 of 2018. VIP grants are awarded to address community violence across the commonwealth, and the committee has oversight of VIP grant awards. Senator Langerholc has served as a member of the School Safety and Security Committee since its inception.
CONTACT:
Gwenn Dando