Community agencies continue to struggle as government funding becomes less reliable. That has caused non-profits to rely more on other sources of funding. In DeKalb County, one group is trying to help a growing number of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Safe Passage provides crisis intervention, medical advocacy and other services. Their annual fundraiser, "An Evening of Chocolate," comes amid delayed state payments.
Executive director Linda Moser says during the last two years, Safe Passage saw a 12 percent increase in the number of clients:
"We’ve had a 40 percent increase in helping people get orders of protection, and a 49 percent increase in hours of service." -Linda Moser
Moser says Safe Passage networks with other agencies to help clients find housing, and access mental health- and addiction services.
Board member Lois Self says it’s becoming harder to meet the demand:
"Just knowing whether you’re going to maintain adequate staffing levels, or do educational programs in schools, and with community organizations – that planning is extremely difficult when you don’t know what your budget’s going to be." -Lois Self
Self says they’re depending more on fundraisers, such as their annual Evening of Chocolate, which is this Saturday at St. Mary’s Activity Center in Sycamore from 6:30-8:30 p.m.