Spring Break
Charities feel chill from economic slowdown
Joe Astrouski / City Editor
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: News
The slumping economy is making it hard for many local service organizations to meet the growing needs of people in their communities.
Hope of East Central Illinois, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence, is struggling to continue its work because of less government funding, said executive director Jim Walters.
"We've had pretty substantial federal and state budget cuts," Walters said. "We've closed one program and we've laid off workers."
Among those laid off was a full-time child's advocate, Walters said.
With funding shrinking, Hope also had to close one of its facilities.
"We had to close one of our transitional housing facilities ... (that) had five units," Walters said. "So five families lost their homes."
Although government funding for Hope has slowed, Walters said private donations have not.
"The community's been really supportive," Walters said. "We are pretty much on target ... so we've been very fortunate."
Bea Vores, of Lutheran Social Services in Charleston, said her organization has faced a different challenge.
Until recently, Vores said her organization provided counseling and support groups for people from several counties around Charleston.
"We've seen a drop-off in families who can drive here," Vores said. "When gas prices started getting high ... people couldn't make the trip."
Lutheran Social Services offers to meet with people in their homes, but Vores said the weak economy is making that harder as well.
"For people taking second jobs ... and working late, that's not an option," she said.
Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.
Hope of East Central Illinois, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence, is struggling to continue its work because of less government funding, said executive director Jim Walters.
"We've had pretty substantial federal and state budget cuts," Walters said. "We've closed one program and we've laid off workers."
Among those laid off was a full-time child's advocate, Walters said.
With funding shrinking, Hope also had to close one of its facilities.
"We had to close one of our transitional housing facilities ... (that) had five units," Walters said. "So five families lost their homes."
Although government funding for Hope has slowed, Walters said private donations have not.
"The community's been really supportive," Walters said. "We are pretty much on target ... so we've been very fortunate."
Bea Vores, of Lutheran Social Services in Charleston, said her organization has faced a different challenge.
Until recently, Vores said her organization provided counseling and support groups for people from several counties around Charleston.
"We've seen a drop-off in families who can drive here," Vores said. "When gas prices started getting high ... people couldn't make the trip."
Lutheran Social Services offers to meet with people in their homes, but Vores said the weak economy is making that harder as well.
"For people taking second jobs ... and working late, that's not an option," she said.
Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.
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