Nonprofits tell legislator of woes

Federal, state, county cuts hurt social services

BY TIMOTHY O'HARA, The Key West Citizen, June 3, 2008

State Rep. Ron Saunders was in Key West Friday to learn how local social services providers — and the people they serve — have been affected by state and Monroe County budget cuts.

This year's one-two punch left most agencies with less money and more people seeking services. On top of job layoffs — two dozen county employees and several schoolteachers among them — many people are suffering with rising gas and food costs.

Samuel's House, one of the agencies that suffered cuts, was on Saunders' tour. Founder Elmira Leto was happy to tell Saunders how the cuts have hurt the nonprofit agency, and the women and children who need housing.

"I am here trying to learn," Saunders said. "We (state legislators) need to understand what happens when cuts are made."
The Legislature implemented a series of tax-relief measures this year that limit the amount of property tax counties can charge, which cut into Monroe's revenue. That and other budget issues prompted the County Commission to cut funding for nonprofits in February.

Funds for social service organizations that fall under the Human Services Advisory Board were cut by 20 percent, to $2.2 million this year from $2.3 million last year. The county has proposed cutting the budget again to $1.7 million for next year.

County funding for Samuel's House has dropped from about $110,000 two years ago to $83,000 this year, Leto said. A federal grant that is channeled through the state decreased from $200,000 to about $24,000 this year, she said.

Leto also wanted to clarify for Saunders misconceptions about who needs services. More white-collar workers are asking for help, as the economy and real estate business has slowed, and local, state and federal governments have cut their budgets and employees, she said.

"We have women who are Realtors. We have women who are teachers," Leto said. "It's not just a certain segment. It's not the women living under the bridge."

Samuel's House provides dorm-style rooms for as many as 48 women and children. The agency tries to keep families together and allows children up to 18 years old, as long as they are in school, Leto said.

The agency charges women $100 a week to cover "client fees." If the women can't afford it, they can work at the thrift and furniture shop, Second Hand Sam's, on Stock Island for $8 an hour. The money earned goes back to Samuel's House.

Women can stay for 90 days, with extensions allowed upon state approval, Leto said. Samuel's House has expanded its services with the opening of the neighboring Kathy's Hope, which is longer-term housing for women in need.

"Ten years ago, there was nothing for women," Leto said. "We were the first shelter."