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January 23, 2025 - Erie, PA

Shapiro-Davis Administration Invests in Afterschool Programs in Erie and Across Western Pennsylvania

The Shapiro-Davis Administration is boosting 46 afterschool programs - including the Erie Police Athletic League - to help keep kids safe and provide enrichment opportunities through the new "Building Opportunity through Out-of-School" (BOOST) initiative.

"The Shapiro-Davis Administration is awarding more than $11 million in grants to expand afterschool programming across the state - in cities like Pittsburgh and Erie, as well as more rural communities like Clarion and Butler counties," said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. "We've provided funding to add nearly 1,500 new law enforcement officers in our communities in just two years, but it takes more than just police to make our communities safer. We need mental health resources, good schools, workforce development and afterschool programs like the Erie Police Athletic League, so we can address the root causes of gun violence."

Lt. Gov. Davis visited Erie today to highlight the BOOST program and his work as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), which has provided about $13 million, over the past two years, to improve community safety in Erie County.


List of Speakers:
Erie Mayor Joe Schember
Lt. Tom Lenox
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis
Sen. Dan Laughlin
Rep. Patrick Harkins
Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny



Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_01.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_02.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_03.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_04.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_05.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_06.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_07.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_08.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_09.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_10.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_11.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_12.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_13.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_14.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_15.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_16.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_17.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_18.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_19.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_20.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_21.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_22.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_23.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_24.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_25.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_26.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_27.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_28.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders to highlight more than $11 million in state grants to provide afterschool programming and help make Pennsylvania communities safer at a news conference in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pictured here is a moment from the event. In attendance were State Sen. Dan Laughlin; State Rep. Patrick Harkins; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie Mayor Joe Schember; Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny; Erie Police Lt. Tom Lenox, PAL program coordinator; Lt. Governor Austin Davis.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27157_lg_afterschool_JP_29.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>