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It’s that time of year when we try to assess our progress. What was the state of affairs a year ago and where are we now?
We were facing a very serious deficit as we approached the end the last fiscal year. We made an urgent appeal for help from funding sources and the community at large and their support resulted in a small surplus to carry over into this year’s budget. We are now making every effort to help ourselves by controlling costs and intensifying our fundraising activities. Again this year, we are facing a less drastic financial shortfall resulting from the loss of corporate contributions allowable under the PA Department of Community and Economic Development Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program. It will be necessary to appeal again to concerned individuals and groups in order to overcome a deficit this year.
After 17 years of operation, the Columbus Apartments Single Room Occupancy facility had seriously deteriorated and was in need of repairs and improvements. When we celebrate the program’s 18th anniversary in June 2005, these upgrades will be well underway. The work has been made possible through grants from the City of Erie and the Housing Authority of the City of Erie.
Our Emergency Shelter and SRO units are well utilized. There are waiting lists at Columbus Apartments as well as at the Lodge On Sass and shelter space fills up soon after it becomes available.
Our Family Ties staff is working hard to improve the potential for homeless families to achieve functional and economic self-sufficiency. The lack of safe, decent and affordable housing for these families presents a huge stumbling block. It continues to be my hope that our community, both the public and private sectors, will join forces and address this critical need in the near future.
With the help of the Erie Community Foundation and the Black Family Foundation we have made improvements in our auditorium/theater and are now capable of sharing it with the community for training, cultural and recreational events.
We have built a board that is stronger than ever before. It supports us with professional expertise from most of the aspects that are so vital to an operation like ours.
I have long since accepted the fact that it will NEVER be easy but as I reflect upon the challenges and accomplishments of the past year I am reminded that the Lord has lifted Community Drop-In Center/Community Shelter Services over countless hurdles since its beginning in 1973. I can say that as an agency we are contributing our very best effort to help meet the needs of those who are homeless in our community. I have faith he will continue to provide us with the means with which to care for his people. Kathleen "Kitty" Cancilla |
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