MANATEE COUNTY- HOPE Family Services runs the only state-certified domestic violence shelter in Manatee County. Approximately 40% of their employees are partially or fully paid with federal money given to the organization. As the government shutdown continues, their concern is growing.
“People who sit back and say this has no effect on my life, I say au contraire,” said CEO Laurel Lynch.
HOPE Family services provides a 24-hour help hotline, emergency safe shelter, counseling and a prevention program, with the shutdown passing historic lengths, Lynch says they’re using their reserves to pay their employees.
“We know we can go approximately 3.5 months, maybe four if we can reimbursement requests we’ve already sent in, if that money comes in. We just don’t know whether or not that’s going to happen,” said Lynch.
HOPE helped more than 2,000 people between 2017 and 2018… throughout this shutdown; their goal is to continue serving a community that desperately needs it…
“We believe we save lives every day,” said Lynch.
In order to continue their services, they’re cutting back where they can from overtime hours to limited part-time hours, but the longer the shutdown continues, the more HOPE will cut back.
“Counseling is a nice to have, not a have to have. That’s not lifesaving in the way the shelter is. So you’re a person coming into the door, what we can offer you is limited,” said Lynch.
In the face of the shutdown Lynch still offers hope to the community, and hopes the government can do the same.
I really believe it will be figured out at some point, but when and at what price, at what price to the people we serve and what price to the people in our community that need help,” said Lynch.
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic abuse, you can reach the 24 hour help hotline at (941) 755-6805.