(Reading) -- A midstate hospital has awarded grants to several community programs that aim to reduce violence among youth, prepare kids for school, and help the elderly remain in their homes. St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, Berks County has doled out more than $2 million in grants to programs in the city such as Right From the Start, which helps assess childhood development before kids start kindergarten. Mindy McCormick is the director of social services for The Salvation Army of Reading, which will receive part of the initiative's $250,000 grant. McCormick says it's important for parents to know if their children are behind developmentally before they start school. "We know when a child enters kindergarten and is already behind developmentally and socially, that it drastically impacts their ability to learn in that environment," she says. McCormick says the money will help the group provide services for infants and school-age children as well as parents. Other programs to receive funding include the Reading Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, which was awarded $840,000, and the Neighbors Helping Neighbors project, which received $260,000.