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In the face of an unprecedented
reduction in public funding, Housing Opportunities Made Equal turned to
its most loyal supporters—its membership—who responded with open hearts.
In amounts ranging from ten to one thousand dollars, more than 40 percent
of HOME’s members made special contributions totaling more than $16,000.
Although
going through the mail is not usually among favorite parts of my day, I
was repeatedly touched by the generosity of these supporters of civil
rights—and the words of encouragement they added. Truth be told, HOME has
many more friends than those illustrious names listed in the margin of our
stationery.
Thank you.
Challenging budget
Due to the unprecedented reduction in public funding described in the last
issue of Insight, the budget finally adopted by HOME’s Board of
Directors on the first day of July was 22 percent smaller than the year
before. In an effort to minimize the service reduction, the $493,000
spending plan includes “unidentified revenues” of slightly more than
$25,000. If new sources of revenue are not identified by the time we
close the books on this year, that amount will translate into an operating
deficit.
HOME has
historically been a very careful steward of funds contributed by
individual and institutional donors. As a result, over the last 22 years
we have built up a modest fund balance (used for paying salaries and
expenses while we await contract reimbursements). However, a $25,000
deficit in 2004-05 would be a big step backwards—one unlikely to be
repeated.
DSC volunteer moves
on
Although we
knew from his first day that Diocesan Service Corps volunteer Thomas
Fuller-Rowell’s time at HOME would be limited, we were not prepared to see
him leave on August 13. His term of service complete, Tom has moved 150
miles to the southeast to begin graduate studies in Psychology and Human
Development at Cornell.
Working
under the title Outreach Specialist, Tom became HOME’s principal presenter
at CHC-related Section 8 briefings. He also reached out to people in
tremendous need—patrons of several area soup kitchens—becoming a familiar
presence and providing valuable housing counseling and referrals to a
range of other service providers.
Since
HOME’s staff began to shrink last November, Tom has also borne an
increasing share of casework in the Fair Housing Unit. Some of the
discrimination cases he helped build are headed for successful legal
action.
Tom’s work
represented an opportunity to share his gifts (which are considerable) in
service to the poor while working to eradicate injustice. HOME certainly
fit the bill.
In return
for a modest stipend and health insurance, Tom gave his all to his clients
and to HOME. Both clients and colleagues will miss Tom’s caring
professionalism and good humor. In the over-serious business of fair
housing, humor is an important coping mechanism.
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