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Gilead House programs in trouble: Without more donations, it will be forced to cut paid staff.(Kokomo Tribune Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 22--If the Gilead House doesn't get an influx in cash donations, it may have to operate on an all-volunteer basis starting Jan. 1. Executive director Reba Harris sent a letter to past donors stating the board of directors has made a commitment not to enter 2009 with any debt. Harris said a decision on whether or not to go to a volunteer staff will be made by Dec. 17. The letter states that if Gilead House goes to a volunteer staff, most of the service programs will have to cease. It provides support and education classes for women with a chemical dependency, individual counseling, dental and eye doctor referrals, outpatient assessments, food pantry, employment referrals and drug screens. It is currently providing services to 139 women in Howard County. Administrative assistant Sandy Smith said they have three full-time and one part-time employee. The organization has four regular volunteers. Smith stressed that the Gilead House will not close its doors. "The doors are not going to close," she said. "There was a pledge never to go into debt again. Donations are down this year, and we understand these are tough economic times." Smith said the client numbers are increasing. "We need a larger staff than we have," she said. "We had debt a year ago, but we cleared what we had." The goal is to raise $50,000 to fund operations for the remainder of 2008 and the first three months of next year. The Gilead House had a proposed budget for this year of between $200,000 and $250,000, according to Smith. She said the organization has raised less than $200,000. "We did lay off staff for three months last year," Smith said. "If we go to a volunteer staff, chances are a lot of services would end." The Gilead House receives no funding from the United Way of Howard County, but is in the process of submitting an application. It received grant funding from the Howard County Community Foundation. The Gilead House is a tax-exempt non-profit. According to documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service in 2006, the Gilead House had contributions of $182,863 and expenditures of $165,252. It entered 2007 with a cash balance of $33,033. The IRS report shows the organization spent $92,400 on salaries. Other large expenses included $18,300 for land development, $15,351 for rent and $8,147 for travel. The 2005 report shows donations of $184,422 and expenses of $170,470. The organization paid $126,575 for salaries. To see more of the Kokomo Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.kokomotribune.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, Kokomo Tribune, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |