FUNDING CUTS IMPACT VITAL SERVICES TO HOMELESS IN LOS ANGELES - 05/04/2010
For Immediate Release
Media Advisory
April 6, 2010
Contact:
Deborah Villar
Vice President of Development and External Affairs
323-893-0635
dvillar@weingart.org
FUNDING CUTS IMPACT VITAL SERVICES TO HOMELESS IN LOS ANGELES
Downtown Service Organization Reduces Training Program Size
Los Angeles, CA – April 5, 2010 – EMERGE, a unique Weingart Center Association program that offers educational classes, vocational training and job placement in a transitional housing environment for homeless individuals, will have to reduce the number of participants served due to a budget reduction of over one million dollars. The program budget was reduced from $2.6 million to $1.5 million. The grant process was extra competitive as more service agencies
applied for funding.
Due to the reduction in funding, EMERGE will serve 118 participants, rather than the previous 200. Those participants that would benefit most from remaining in the EMERGE program will be kept in the program and other programs in the Weingart Center Association will absorb other affected participants.
Funding for the Weingart Center Association comes from a combination of local, state, federal and private dollars. In an effort to minimize the impact to employees and participants, the Weingart Center Association is actively improving efficiency to maximize scarce resources and continues to explore and pursue opportunities for additional funding.
About the Weingart Center Association:
Located in the heart of Skid Row, the Weingart Center Association transforms the lives of Los Angeles’ homeless men and women, helping them to break the cycle of homelessness and lead self-sufficient lives by providing on-site transitional housing; case management; substance abuse recovery; medical and mental health treatment; education; workforce development; and other services. Tailored programs are available for veterans, people on parole, women and HIV+ individuals. The Weingart Center Association is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is a premier agency of its kind in the West and a model for the nation. Visit www.weingart.org for more information.
