A Christian homeless shelter in Pennsylvania is in danger of losing federal funding because it won’t hire Muslim employees and won’t sign an anti-discrimination contract.
The Grace Youth and Family Foundation’s Winter Relief Center is refusing to sign a government contract for $35,000 in funding from the Butler County Department of Human Services because of the text of the contract, which the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported stipulates no discrimination “based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or non-job related handicap or disability.”
Bill Hale, the head of the foundation, said he could not sign a contract that contradicts the group’s beliefs.
“We have a statement of faith that Jesus Christ is the center of everything we do. We want the opportunity to talk about it. You cannot have a Muslim within our organization. Our faith is central to what we do,” Hale said.
The contract represents more than half the shelter’s funding, and would give access to a block grant, featuring a combination of state and federal funds, as well as donations from local groups.
A Butler County official said over a 100 similar contracts have been dealt to other nonprofit organizations, which they have signed.
The winter relief center is Butler County’s only homeless shelter.
