Nonprofits by their nature are resilient, especially those working in human services as resiliency is a large part of what they bring to help their clients, and organizations in Modesto—as reported by the Modesto Bee—are revealing their organizational resilency during these tough times.
An excerpt.
“Women who have been beaten or abused by their husbands may have to wait two weeks before they can see a counselor at Haven Women's Center in Modesto.
“Waiting lists are just one of the painful choices that nonprofit agencies have made as they cope with the recession that has buffeted the Northern San Joaquin Valley for nearly three years.
“Agencies that feed, clothe and shelter people and counsel them when they are in crisis have laid off staff, not filled vacant positions, relied more on volunteers, and reduced hours and services to make ends meet -- despite a steady increase in demand.
“They have had to work harder to raise money as government, foundations and donors have been slammed by the downturn and reduced their support.
"We've dropped ... staffing and moved to a smaller office," said Belinda Rolicheck, executive director of Haven, whose services include a shelter for women and children and a clinic for domestic violence restraining orders. "We're in about half the space and paying about half the rent."
“Haven had 45 to 50 full- and part-time employees in 2006 and is down to about 25, Rolicheck said.
“She said there has always been a waiting list to see a counselor, but before the recession a client could typically see someone within a few days.
"We know that counseling makes a big difference in the healing process," Rolicheck said, "especially with sexual assault victims."
“But as much pain as the recession has inflicted across the region, nonprofit leaders say there are some bright spots.
“Many say they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who give what they can despite their own hardships. And the economic downturn has pushed nonprofits to rethink how they deliver services and raise money.”
About
- David H. Lukenbill
- I am a California native, married, we have one daughter and live close to the American River with two cats and all the wild critters we can feed. I am a management consultant to nonprofit organizations and have an Associates of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Sacramento City College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Public Administration degree, also from the University of San Francisco.