North Chelmsford's Congregation Shalom Receives $20K To Boost Security

NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA — Congregation Shalom of North Chelmsford recently received $20,610 in federal funding to help improve security and protect against terrorist and hate-fueled attacks.

The temple was one of 37 faith-based organizations in Massachusetts to receive funds, which were made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

The grants, totaling more than $4.1 million, were managed in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).

The administration of Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the grants on Nov. 2 at the 4th annual Faith-Based Organizations Safety and Security Seminar in Southbridge.

"Protecting our Commonwealth means protecting the organizations that are the pillars of our communities," Baker said. "We are committed to ensuring that these nonprofits and houses of worship are protected and that everyone can feel safe when they gather and worship."

According to the administration, the grants were awarded through a competitive application process to nonprofits that were determined to be at high risk of a terror attack or hate crime.

Other nearby houses of worship to receive a grant were: Temple Emanuel of Andover ($150,000), Grace Chapel in Wilmington ($109,126) and the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Point in Haverhill ($125,000).

"Gathering places such as houses of worship have unique security needs," said Kevin Stanton executive director of the Office of Grants Research. "The grants awarded through this program will help the recipients increase the security of their facilities while continuing to provide the open and welcoming gathering places their communities rely on."