Politics & Government

CDBG Grant Funds Local Community Service Programs

City officials warn future program funding could see significant cuts.

As non-profit organizations continue to struggle financially during the recession, 10 community and volunteer-based programs will receive needed funds thanks to the city’s federal Community Development Block Grant.

City Council approved the allocation of money to various community service programs during Tuesday’s meeting, many of which have seen record numbers of need as funding has continued to dwindle over the years.

The annual grant addresses city infrastructure deficiencies, as well as serves the city’s special needs populations, including low-income households and the disabled.

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About $57,000 of the grant’s $336,854 will go to 10 organizations - Cory’s Kitchen Food Bank, Citrus College Orfalea Family Children’s Center, the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless, EYE-DAS, Glendora Reads!, YWCA San Gabriel, Valley Meals on Wheels, Glendora Welfare Association, Shepherd’s Pantry and YWCA San Gabriel Valley WINGS.

According to planning director Jeff Kugel, much of the CDBG funding will go toward city capital improvement projects such as upgraded signals and crosswalks. This past year, CDBG funds went toward the completion of an and other projects to make the building handicap accessible.

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Still, program directors say they will gladly accept any funding that will allow them to keep their doors open to serve some of the community’s most needy.

Since the economy took a turn for the worse, Shepherd’s Pantry director Huisman has seen a dramatic rise in needed services. In 2008, the nonprofit organization served 9,800 people. By 2010, the pantry served about 17,000 people.

This year, the trend has continued. Donations at Shepherd’s Pantry are becoming harder and harder to come by, said Huisman.

“We sort of plan for this to happen,” said Huisman. “But it gets tougher every year.”

Since the economic downturn, the maximum stay has been extended for women and their children at the Covina-based San Gabriel Valley YWCA from 45 days to six months.

“What we have seen with victims of domestic violence…they are much more afraid to leave a violent situation because they have no place to go,” said program director Lisa Brabo. The shelter currently serves 52 families from Glendora.

Under the budget proposal, adult literacy programs could see a dramatic decrease in funding, putting programs, such as Glendora Reads!, in danger of elimination.

“There are many Glendorans who are keeping a secret or can’t read well,” said Mary Pat Dodson, literacy coordinator for Glendora Reads! “In California, one out of five read at a basic, or below basic level.”

While CDBG funding has been nearly level since last year, city officials warned that funding for local programs may soon see cuts.

Kugel said this year’s funding could be reduced by 16 percent.

“As a forewarning for the next budget year, all these groups, including the city should be anticipating cuts,” said City Manager Chris Jeffers. “Because it becomes very clear from the dialogue in Washington that for 2012, further cuts will be asked of and made.”


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