O’Mara announces grants awarded to two faith-based organizations
Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara March 11, 2020 | 1:47 PM
SPRINGFIELD, March 11 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara today announced that two community faith-based organizations received grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to enhance their safety and security measures.
Temple Sholom in Broomall received a $50,000 grant and Congregation Beth El Ner Tamid received a $29,407 grant. Funds may be used toward safety and security planning, purchase of security-related technology such as metal detectors, surveillance equipment and theft control devices, threat awareness and response training and any other safety or security-related project.
“Houses of worship are known for being a place of sanctuary, peace and serenity for those of faith. No one should ever feel unsafe, afraid or worry when they are within these walls,” O’Mara said. “The duty of public servants, such as myself, is to ensure that every individual seeking to worship safely, with peace of mind, can do so during these trying times. Grants like these ensure that Pennsylvania’s places of faith are also places of safety.”
The grants are provided through PCCD’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program following the passage of Act 83 of 2019. The act directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations that have been or that are likely to be targets for hate crimes, according to the FBI’s 2017 Hate Crime Statistics publication. Priority consideration for funding was given to organizations that indicated they – or their membership – were victims of a hate crime or had a credible hate-crime threat. Geographic distribution of the grants was also taken into consideration.
Questions may be directed to O’Mara’s office by calling 610-544-9878 or emailing RepOMara@pahouse.net.