Van Hollen, Duncan, Johnson Open Crossroads Youth Opportunity Center

Van Hollen, Duncan, Johnson Open Crossroads Youth Opportunity Center

Van Hollen Announces $2.3 in Federal Funding

Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today joined Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson to open the Crossroads Youth Opportunity Center, a joint partnership between Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, which will provide services to youth in the counties who are involved with gangs or at risk for gang involvement. Van Hollen presented a $2,375,000 check to the county executives for the Montgomery and Prince George's Counties Joint Gang Suppression and Prevention Initiative (also known as the Maryland Regional Gang Initiative). The funding was included in the FY 2006 Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill (H.R. 2862). Van Hollen worked with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and others in the regional Congressional delegation to ensure that this important funding was included in the legislation. As part of the initiative, Crossroads will receive $375,000. This is in addition to a $365,000 federal grant for Crossroads that Congressman Van Hollen announced in September 2005.

"I am proud to have fought for this funding, which will help the people of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties fight the growing problem of gang violence in our region," said Van Hollen. "It is important that we provide our law enforcement officials, our teachers, and our community leaders with the support they need as they work to keep our youth safe from gangs and teach them the long-term consequences of joining a gang."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/md08_vanhollen/Crossroads_Youth.html