Meng Award Federal Funding to St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows

QUEENS, NY - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), New York's senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - which funds the federal government's programs and activities - announced today that she awarded $150,000 to St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows.

The funds will allow the school to make additional security improvements to help ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. The money is allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program which is designed to pay for safety measures that help guard against threats and attacks.

"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 Congresswoman Meng. "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. I look forward to these funds benefiting St. Francis Prep for years to come."

"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. "With these resources, we are better equipped to implement new safety protocols and security measures that prioritize the protection and comfort of our school community. I thank Congresswoman Meng for her commitment to our school and for recognizing the importance of secure educational spaces. We look forward to continuing our partnership with her to foster a positive and safe environment for all of our SFP students."

St. Francis Preparatory School is an independent Catholic college preparatory school. It includes 2,450 students in grades 9-12. Opened in 1858, the school has been in its present location at 61-00 Francis Lewis Boulevard since 1974.