The Congressional Delegation of Maryland announced a new federal grant on Thursday. It will fund safety and security in places of worship.
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Andy Harris (MD-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) secured $8,627,091 in federal funding to strengthen security at 49 religious institutions and community centers across Maryland.
State officials noted an alarming increase in threats against faith-based communities in recent times.
“Every Marylander deserves to be able to exercise their right to religious freedom and worship without fear for their safety,” said Senator Van Hollen (D-MD).
Funding is one way to keep community members more safe.
These awards are provided through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS), which helps high-risk nonprofits, including faith-based institutions, to get the necessary resources required to support state and local efforts.
This includes 12 religious institutions in Montgomery County:
- Chabad Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County Inc.
- Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (Lower School)
- Congregation B’nai Tzedek
- Covenant Life Church (7501)
- Covenant Life School (7503)
- Covenant Life School/Church (7505)
- Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, Inc.
- Imadi
- Kehilat Pardes
- McLean Bible Church (Montgomery)
- The Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Trust Inc
- Tikvat Israel Congregation
