The Right to Worship Safely Grant is given to six Christian groups in Arkansas to improve security

Little Rock, Arkansas – Worship funding will be given to six faith-based organizations to improve their security.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Department of Public Safety announced on Tuesday that the Right to Worship Safely Grant Program would award money to six organizations.

Among the six organizations are:

024 Arkansas Right to Worship Safely Grant Awardees

• Congregation Agudath Achim: $43,200
• Congregation B’nai Israel: $74,449
• Congregation House of Israel: $11,273
• Lubavitch of Arkansas: $60,000
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hot Springs: $8,065
• Subiaco Abbey: $30,805

According to a press release, the program helps nonprofit ideology-based, spiritual, or religious entities prevent, protect against, prepare for, and respond to terrorist threats or other extremist attacks. It also supports other security activity projects.

“The right to worship freely is our most fundamental right,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “With threats against religious communities rising across the country, we created the Right to Worship grant program for faith groups in need of protection. No person or community should ever be violently targeted for their faith. The recipients we are announcing today demonstrated the highest need for support, and I’m proud my administration is stepping up to help.”

Before, there was nothing to help people who were highly vulnerable to a terrorist assault. To address that, the legislature, the governor, and her staff collaborated with the Arkansas State Police, according to a news release from ASP.

“The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to ensure the safety and security of all Arkansans. While Arkansans are worshiping, they should not fear for their safety.” said DPS Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar.