Neilson continues fight for state grants to keep local community safe

Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency awards $52K in safety grants to two local nonprofits

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    March 11, 2020 | 3:07 PM

PHILADELPHIA, March 11 – State Rep. Ed Neilson announced today that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has awarded $52,890 in grants to two nonprofit organizations in his district that serve populations who are often targeted by hate crimes.

These grant dollars are the first awarded by the commission as part of a new grant program it is administering, after legislation to create the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program was signed into law last year

“Any program that increases safety measures for our most vulnerable neighbors – like people who are often targeted because of their religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability – is one I’m proud to support,” Neilson said. “I’m grateful that Federation Housing Inc. and Congregation Ahavas Torah Rhawnhurst Torah Center have received this funding, especially considering the many organizations that applied, and I know that they will put this funding to use to keep the people they serve safe.”

Federation Housing Inc., which provides affordable housing to low- and moderate-income seniors, was awarded a $27,890 grant, and Congregation Ahavas Torah Rhawnhurst Torah Center, a synagogue in Northeast Philadelphia, was awarded a $25,000 grant.

The grants awarded to the two organizations were among 805 total applications submitted for grant funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program. Of those 805 applications, the commission took action to approve 113 initial applications totaling more than $5 million in awards.

The grant awards may be used for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of the nonprofit’s facility, including through safety and security planning and training, purchase of safety and security equipment and technology, vulnerability and threat assessments, and any other security-related project that enhances the safety or security of the nonprofit organization.

To learn more about the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund, visit the PCCD website here: https://www.pccd.pa.gov/schoolsafety/Pages/Non-Profit-Security-Grant-Fund.aspx

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