SBCS Emergency Shelter to Remain Open
Chula Vista, CA – Governor Schwarzenegger’s signed budget completely eliminated funds for domestic violence programs - a grave loss for many no-profits and domestic violence shelters throughout California.
Locally, South Bay Community Services (SBCS) lost about $250,000 in funding from the State. While a great loss, SBCS will continue to provide emergency shelter for families affected by domestic violence.
“We anticipated some cuts, but total elimination was shocking,” said SBCS Executive Director Kathryn Lembo. “We have a plan in place to keep our shelter open and are working on ways to keep the level of services needed by families available.”
SBCS provides the only 24 hour emergency domestic response team and domestic violence emergency shelter in South San Diego County. SBCS provides not only a safe place for victims and their children, but also helps victims work toward self-sufficiency by providing counseling, advocacy, child care, and housing assistance, parenting skills education, emergency food and legal assistance.
“SBCS has always had wonderful community support,” said Lembo. “With these new cuts, we will continue to call on the community for assistance whenever they can, with in-kind donations and volunteer help.”
SBCS annual Change Their Lives Extravaganza, private donations, food and clothing donations and volunteers have always provided SBCS the means to bridge the gap between State funding and all the necessary services local families need. This help will now become even more essential.
Last year, SBCS responded to more than 1,400 domestic violence calls in Chula Vista alone. Of these calls, at least 1,700 children were present. In 2008, SBCS emergency shelters housed 118 families including 265 children.
The 2009 Change Their Lives Extravaganza will be held October 10, 2009 on the rooftop at Ivy Hotel in San Diego. For information and information on various food drives throughout the South Bay contact Patty Chavez at 619-420-3620x123 or visit the SBCS website at www.southbaycommunityservices.org.
South Bay Community Services is a non-profit organization providing services, support and opportunities for over 50,000 individuals and families annually in South San Diego County.
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