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Guardian Shelter loses large grant
Published Friday, July 30, 2010
NATCHEZ — The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families will be forced to slice its budget by 40 percent after losing a major source of grant funding.
The nonprofit Catholic charity for domestic violence victims will lose a $75,000 Emergency Shelter Grant from the Mississippi Development Authority in mid-August, Director of Catholic Charities, Inc. Martha Mitternight said.
The Guardian Shelter has offered a safe haven to victims of domestic violence since it opened in 1991. Mitternight said its most important role is to give women a second chance at life.
It offers counseling and support to help victims recover from their abuse and develop healthier future relationships, and takes women through the process of moving on from their abusers.
And although statistics show that women return to their abusers an average of three times, Mitternight said the shelter provides them with all the resources they need when they are ready to create a new life.
The shelter has nine full-time employees and a hand full of part timers and is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Mitternight said lately, the shelter’s seven available rooms have been full each night.
The Guardian Shelter in Natchez services 11 counties in Southwest Mississippi. The Guardian Shelter also services domestic violence victims in Concordia Parish.
Mitternight said the shelter’s leaders will cut the budget where they can, look for other grants and ask for donations.
A few fundraisers, such a 5K run, are already in different stages of planning, Mitternight said.
The earliest another grant source could give funding to the shelter would be January, Mitternight said.
To donate to The Guardian Shelter, bring or mail a check to 109 South Union St. Checks should be made out to Catholic Charities, Inc. with a note attached or in the memo line that funds should be spent by the Guardian Shelter. For more information, call Mitternight at 601-442-4579.
This grant loss arrives on the heels of the Sunshine Shelter’s loss of a $46,000 grant from the Victims Of Crime Fund, distributed by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Comments
Posted by skittles (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is really sad that grants and funding is cut on these kinds of organizations. The Guardian Shelter has been the only safe haven for abused women and children in the area for years. Funding will be cut for the aid of abused women and children, but you can bet your butt that funding will be found for abused animals. Don't get me wrong, I love animals and don't want them abused or neglected but shouldn't human life and well being hold a higher standard? What if it was your sister, mother or someone you know that needed the assistance of the Shelter? Cuts by 40 percent could certainly lead to shut down. Lets donate to the shelter in any way we can folks!!
Posted by drknsmuv (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are absolutely right skittles. This is an opportunity for our community to show some support for a very worthy cause.
Posted by snowgarden (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad. :( Couldn't the other local churches help out with this as well? Perhaps St. Marys could be a sponsor?
Posted by CtheOtherSide (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
snowgarden, I was about to say the same thing. Churches should be active in this endeavor. This is the heart of God, to care for the downtrodden and fearful. There is a lot of healing needed and nobody can heal hearts like God. I encourage all the area churches to pitch in in some way. If each church did a small part, it would add up to a whole lot. And everyone pray, because God can do anything. Pray He touches the hearts of those who can help the most. And let us know how we can help that might save them money as well.
Posted by jamiewelch (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well my mother lives there and it DOES NOT offer the alleged things that the story above says it does. It has given her a place to stay I thank God for that but it doesn't help as much as it states above. The staff needs to do more "helping" rather than just show up to earn a paycheck.
I do agree this is sad that they lost such a big grant cause they really need it there. The rooms need renovating bad and the kids need a better playground
Posted by hometowngirl (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This shelter provides a priceless service to vicitims of domestic abuse, including the children living in these situations. A 40% budget reduction is massive. I am certain the shelter needed more funding as it was. Small donations add up so I would urge anyone who thinks what they can afford to donate "wouldn't help anyway" to think again! In addition to monetary donations there are many ways community organizations, businesses, & individuals can assist those who need the services of this shelter. Discounted rents to women needing a new residence, letting the shelter know of job openings you have, donations of food, donations of gently used clothes, toys, & at this time of the year, school supplies~~these are just a few of the things the women & children of this shelter need!
Posted by bobcat (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart breaks to hear of another orgainization with money problems.I was in Vidalia today,they were doing a road block for" FEED THE HUNGER" so many that are in need.People get involved and do what you can to help.On August the 20th and the 21st were having our first anual Co-ed softball tournament for the "SUNSHINE SHELTER"it's already on the radio stations and facebook with a article comming out hopefully next week.Anyone can help,to put a team in it cost $130.00.If you get a sponsor that would be great. If you don't play ball call me and i'll put you to work doing something else.There are so many ways you can help.Lets help make a difference. Cathy Cox Warren 601-431-2755
Posted by mrshall33 (anonymous) on September 5, 2010 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To each and every one out there please watch were u give money to i leave there and its not what it claims to be the clothes thats brought there goes to the thirft store on franklin st they always clamin ther broke clints get left overs the pick over item and we get left overs if you dont belive me ask ppl that have been there bet they got a story for you
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