Program left in lurch

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Blind-sided and left in the dark by a letter suggesting the discontinuation of external funds to existing community programs, numerous non-profit organizations are experiencing a twofold blow and tightening of purse strings that’s already contributing to program closures in the near future.
Last month, the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in Alberta received a healthy cash injection of an additional $10 million across the province for total funding of $86 million. While the funds are provided to help strengthen communities, FCSS informed their recipients on Sept. 15 that the funding provided previously will no longer continue except to support new initiatives.
Although the partnership – made up between Strathmore and the province of Alberta – sent a letter to the local community programs in 2013 notifying them to seek alternative revenue sources for the future, many non-profit organizations said they had no prelude to the announcement. And as the economy struggles, those community programs are also losing funding from other sources.
“I’m disappointed because right now it is tough getting funding for non-profits and it’s getting tougher and tougher,” said Wanda Reinholdt, program coordinator at Hope Bridges Society, who in the past received $1,000 from FCSS, and will also not be receiving any of the 40 per cent – or $30,000 – government funds.
“We’re a growing province, with growing needs, and a growing population and there’s so many factors preventing funding from being available. When the oil sector struggles, all the grant money where does it come from? It comes from there, so everything suffers.”
The letter states that while Strathmore FCSS will not be providing funding to community programs, it will provide internal programming to help increase and promote new programs and initiatives to our community.
The news sparked frustration among the local programs questioning why money isn’t being poured into existing thriving programs with a strong clientele. No mention has yet been made as to the possible new programs or initiatives vying to grab the cash.
As the surge in funding translates to an additional $18,000 in Strathmore, the Wheatland FCSS believes the money should support those programs already in place.
“Additional funding was handed out to all the FCSSs per capita, and so we’re jumping on board with that opportunity so we have more dollars to spend with on programs,” said Lynn Walker, program coordinator for WFCSS.
“All the non-profits rely on grant dollars… so one backing out really does create a whole different scenario for programs involved. We struggle at times and we know exactly how everybody else struggles.”
As a result the Growing Families Society said all three of their initiatives will be affected – Five for Life, Bridging the Gap, and the Life Skills program. Without FCSS’s $8,500 contributions, which covers all three areas, the organization estimates six programs within those three initiatives will not receive support; including the Bridging the Gap lunch club. None of their programs within Wheatland County will be affected.
However, FCSS funding isn’t the only hit on the society’s budget. Large financial contributions from W. Brett Wilson have also come to an end, and no information has yet been received regarding United Way funding.
“What are they doing with the infusion money that was announced this past month? Because you have to spend that by Dec. 31,” said May Rostecki-Budzey, executive manager with the Growing Family Society, who said only one-quarter of the money can be carried forward to a future year.
“I don’t care if you don’t select my program, but at the end result be sure that the money is being driven to those individuals that are in need of some support.”
While the Strathmore FCSS was unable to comment at this time, the letter also stated that they will continue with the Special Project Funding for community projects that meet the FCSS mandate. For now, local non-profit organizations are adjusting their programming to meet their budgets and are actively looking for other sources of funding.