September 29, 2023

Westfield Catholic schools receive security grants for nonprofits

REGIONAL
By Rebecca Drake

St. Mary Parish Elementary School in Westfield (Catholic Communications file photo)

SPRINGFIELD – St. Mary elementary and high schools in Westfield were among the recipients of state grants to address security needs at faith-based and service organizations at heightened risk of a hate crime or terrorist attack.

St. Mary Parish Elementary School received a grant of $149,996; and St. Mary’s High School received $147,650.

The grants were awarded through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which is managed and administered 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.

“Communities rely on nonprofit and faith-based organizations for essential social services, spiritual support, and guidance,” said Gov. Maura Healey in an article published on the mass.gov website. “Our Administration is deeply committed to ensuring these vital organizations have the tools and resources needed to create safe, inclusive, and protected environments. These federal funds provide critical support to our nonprofit and faith communities while strengthening Massachusetts’ ability to uphold our values and celebrate our diversity.”

Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll also praised the nonprofits. “Today’s grant recipients are the cornerstones of our communities and pillars of support for our neighbors in need,” she said. “With resolve and determination, we remain focused on taking proactive steps to help prevent and mitigate against future incidents of hate crimes. These grants reaffirm our commitment to enhancing community preparedness and safeguarding sacred community spaces from bias-motivated attacks.”

Matthew Collins, principal of St. Mary High School, credited the school’s director of advancement, Hope Tremblay, the administrative team, and the campus safety director at St. Mary’s with researching the grant and compiling the information required for the application.

St. Mary Parish High School in Westfield (Catholic Communications file photo)

“St. Mary’s High School is always committed to the safety of our students and staff. We want to make sure we take every step necessary to help make our school be as safe as it can be,” Collins told iObserve. “The money from this grant will go a long way in helping us do that.”

“We will use the money from the grant to make improvements to our entrances and exits in the building, repair or replace any windows that need to be more secure, update our PA system so notifications inside our buildings can be better received, and look at other interior doors to classrooms to assure that they are safe in the event of an emergency,” Collins said. “We plan on making every dollar stretch so we can address as many needs as possible.”

“St. Mary’s High School always puts student and staff safety first,” Collins added. “In a world that can often be unpredictable, we look to our faith in Jesus Christ to guide us and protect us every day.”

Anne Pellan-Shea, principal of St. Mary Elementary School, echoed Collins’ concern for safety and security during uncertain times. She noted that the elementary school is more than 100 years old and “was never meant to keep people out.” She said the grant money will allow the school to install new doors, fix windows, and upgrade the communications system to service the kindergarten through eighth grade elementary school as well as the preschool and pre-kindergarten classes which are in separate buildings on the school campus.

Pellan-Shea also expressed concern for the psychological well-being of the students, who emerged from the pandemic shutdowns with a heightened sense of fear and insecurity.

“We want to give those kids that blanket of security,” she said, “and to help them feel safe and protected.”