County to give more money to social service organizations

By: Robin Wyllie-Scholz
Deputy Editor

Fourteen organizations that provide support for people who are struggling in Washtenaw County are getting a combined $1.5 million in the next two years, thanks to a proposal approved by the Board of Commissioners in early April.

The proposal was raised to reinstate county funding that the groups lost after the New Human Services Partnership replaced Washtenaw Coordinated Funders in 2022, which changed the organizations that were receiving county funds. 

One such organization is Alpha House, who had been getting roughly 100k prior to the NHSP. When that funding went away they had to scramble for help from the community, according to Shonagh Taruza, Alpha House’s executive director. 

This new proposal will hopefully alleviate some of their financial struggles. Alpha House is set to receive $107,250 in 2023 and again in 2024.

“The relief that I felt, I was almost in tears… it took us out of that survival mode,” said Taruza. 

Though the proposal is good news for the organizations receiving the funding, it isn’t a perfect fix. For starters, the county has not yet communicated directly with the organizations impacted, according to Christine Watson, executive director of SafeHouse.

SafeHouse is set to receive $93,972 in both 2023 and 2024, but they don’t yet know any details, according to Watson.

“We have yet to receive any official confirmation,” Watson said. 

Both Watson and Taruza emphasized the importance of finding a more long-term solution to the housing crisis. 

“There’s an urgent need for more family shelter space,” Taruza said. 

Housing is a pressing issue in Washtenaw County. There were 448 people experiencing homelessness in December of 2022, according to the Washtenaw Continuum of Care. 

Organizations like Alpha House and SafeHouse are trying to combat that. Alpha House has an emergency shelter, and also helps people find long-term housing. SafeHouse is focused on helping survivors of domestic violence via an emergency shelter and other resources like their 24/7 helpline. 

One struggle that Watson hopes the proposed money will alleviate is their lack of staff. Lately they’ve been operating with a 50% reduced workforce.

“We’re trying to minimize the impact to survivors… we’re doing the best we can,” said Watson. 

They are open to volunteers as well as paid employees.

 “Reach out! We don’t require a certain degree,” said Watson.

For people that don’t have time to get directly involved, there’s still ways to help.

“The best thing that the younger generation can do is stay informed,” said Taruza. 

Being informed and spreading awareness helps these organizations reach as many people as possible. 

“I just want people to know that we’re here, that we’re open, and that we’re available to support [them],” said Watson. 

While the proposal should alleviate some of SafeHouse’s immediate concerns, they know it won’t last forever. 

“It’s a two-year funding– then what?” said Watson.

Both Watson and Taruza feel that the proposal is a good start, but a permanent solution is needed.

“There’s a wealth of resources in Washtenaw County– let’s figure out how to use them better so we don’t have people experiencing homelessness, especially families and children,” said Taruza.

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