The General Assembly is getting closer to making its annual budget decisions, friend.

This month, lawmakers have the opportunity to double down on a proven strategy that has already saved hundreds of lives and enhanced community safety by fully funding the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) and Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) initiative.

Together, we’re keeping gun violence prevention funding in the news and on top of legislators’ minds.

Here are some highlights from the last two weeks:

We held a press event in the Capitol Rotunda highlighting more than 50 representatives to support a call for $101.5 million in the PA budget for VIP and BOOST.
We hosted a legislative luncheon where legislators heard directly from local violence interrupters about how their programs work, the impact they've had, and the danger if funding is halted.
Violence interrupters spent time meeting with multiple Republican senators to build bipartisan support for VIP and BOOST.
On Friday, Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee Chair Vincent Hughes and House Majority Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris joined our volunteers and partners to discuss exactly what has to happen if we’re going to win this fight.
Nearly 1,000 advocates like you have used our tools to send a message to their legislators in support of community violence intervention funding. If you haven’t already done so, you can send a message today.

There’s no sugarcoating that this is going to be one of the toughest budgets in years. Our legislators need to keep hearing from constituents that ending gun violence is a priority.

I will continue to keep you informed on ways you can take action.

In community,

Adam Garber
Executive Director
CeaseFirePA

P.S. Our movement is powered by advocates like you who give what they can because they share our vision for a future free from gun violence. Please consider making a donation of $5 or whatever you can afford today.