U.S. Rep. Grace Meng awarded St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows $150,00 in federal funds designated to improve the school’s security.
Meng visited the school on Friday, Oct. 25, to formally present a check during a meeting with school officials and student government representatives.
The money came from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This grant is designed to help prevent threats and terrorist attacks by investing in increased security and safety measures at nonprofit organizations across the country.
“Safety must always be a top priority in our communities, especially at our local schools, and this grant will go a long way towards keeping everybody at St. Francis Preparatory School more secure,” said Meng, who is New York’s senior member of the House Appropriations Committee responsible for funding the federal government’s programs.
St. Francis Prep has been on Francis Lewis Boulevard since 1974, but it opened in 1858. Today, it is an independent Catholic college preparatory school that enrolls 2,450 students in grades 9-12 and is considered the largest Catholic prep school in the country.
“This grant will have a profound impact on our school’s ability to maintain a safe learning environment, providing our students, staff, teachers and families with peace of mind,” said St. Francis Preparatory Principal Patrick McLaughlin. “I thank Congresswoman Meng for her commitment to our school and for recognizing the importance of secure educational spaces.”
The school says the funding will be used to implement new safety protocols and measures, such as increasing the school’s physical security posture. The grant is generally only awarded to places of worship and nonprofit educational facilities.
“The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a key initiative to enhance safety, and in Congress, I’m proud to have helped increase funding for it over the years so that this crucial money can make its way to schools and nonprofits in our borough,” added Meng. “I look forward to these funds benefiting St. Francis Prep for years to come.”
