WORCESTER – The office of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. announced the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) this week to fight gang-related crime within the county with a portion earmarked to support community programing at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester.
“We want to support our at-risk youth, preventing their introduction to gang life and the inevitability of ending up in the criminal justice system,” said Early. “By supporting these kids, we can prevent crime, keep the numbers down in the jails, and guide our youth to brighter, happier futures.”
The grant was awarded to Early’s office throught the EOPSS Project Safe Neighborhood Program to support the prosecution of gang crimes.
This is the second year Early’s office has partnered with Boys & Girls Club of Worcester with the community programming portion of the funding. Last year, the funding supported 122 boys participating in a program called Passport to Manhood and 128 girls participating in a program called S.M.A.R.T Girls. This year, the Boys & Girls Club plans to offer drivers’ education and job training courses with the funding.
Governor Healey’s administration has allocated $1.9 million statewide through the Project Safe Neighborhood Program to combat gun crimes, gang violence, and narcotics offenses.
Image Credit: Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
