Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of stories examining the impact of state budget cuts on public health agencies serving the Allen County area.
Hope Unlimited’s board worked throughout 2009 to make the most of each dollar.
“In today’s economy we’ve scrimped and saved and stretched each dollar to its breaking point. Our grant money is contingent on the state budget. When the state’s budget declines” it’s a direct hit to the agency, said Dorothy Sparks, Hope Unlimited’s director.
Sparks has received word that one grant may be cut as much as 4 percent. That $4,000 to $5,000 is used to support the shelter and assist with outreach crisis services. Another grant may be cut $1,000, money used to support the Child Advocacy Center.
“I know $1,000 doesn’t sound like a huge cut, but we depend on grants to help fund our services. We also depend on donations to keep our shelters staffed and stocked with supplies,” Sparks said.
Last year’s cash donations were down 50 percent from the previous year. To make ends meet for this fiscal year, which ends in June, the center mounted a fund raising drive beginning last October.
Called the 25/25 Campaign — a $25 gift to match the center’s 25 years of existence — the campaign is “halfway” to its April deadline, Sparks said.
A gift of $25 goes a long way to buy milk, eggs and bread for the shelter, which is never empty.
A donation also “can make the difference be-tween us keeping the lights on or turning them off,” she said of the shelter’s future.
SINCE 1984, Hope Unlimited, 8 N. Washington Ave., has provided 24-hour shelter, food, clothing and advocacy to victims of violence and abuse.
To curb expenses, one staff position was cut last year, phone lines reduced to one and staff now take the facility’s trash to the landfill themselves.
“We used to take clients to doctor’s appointments and to court hearings but with the lack of funds we are having to decline when asked for help with transportation,” Sparks said.
