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In Era Of Bailouts, Local Nonprofit Groups Denied

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By JOHN W. ALLMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2008

TAMPA - Banks, mortgage companies, even automakers, have asked for, and in some cases received, billions of dollars in federal taxpayer dollars to offset poor decisions that left them deep in debt.

But what about local nonprofit organizations that rely on state government assistance not as a bailout but as a way to buy beds for people with mental health disorders, provide housing for homeless veterans or teach at-risk children about the dangers of drugs and gangs.

In Florida, those groups are being denied funding for 2009 because of the lagging economy and declining revenue.

Last week's refusal by the Hillsborough County legislative delegation to even listen to requests for appropriations has several agencies asking: Now what?

"We're not going to close, thank God," said Alayne Unterberger, executive director of the Tampa-based Florida Institute of Community Studies. "But if we don't get more funding, we will cut back dramatically."

Her agency was requesting $250,000 to fund programs such as Project Prevention, which educates youngsters ages 9 to 18 in Town 'N Country about HIV-prevention, substance abuse and gang membership.

Unterberger said she is applying for grant funding from Bank of America to offset the loss of state dollars. The institute also is holding its annual fundraiser to solicit public donations.

Some applicants, such as Mental Health Care Inc., which provides care and support for people with mental health disorders, will have to cancel plans to increase services.

Sandra Hanna, director of emergency and acute care services, said the organization will wait until 2010 to apply again for money to buy 20 additional beds to care for individuals brought in for evaluation under Florida's Baker Act.

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services is turning to state officials for help. The nonprofit group had requested more than $650,000 for a program that helps prepare convicted felons with mental disorders to re-enter society.

"We're trying to work with the [state] Department of Corrections," said Farima Farabash, director of grants and program development. "The bottom line is we're just going to have to respect and understand the economy is impacting everybody."

Tampa Crossroads, which just started providing transitional housing for honorably discharged, homeless female veterans, is relying on public support for now.

"We will be looking at other things here after the first of the year," said Sara Romeo, chief executive officer, who had requested $185,000 to provide counseling for the veterans.

So far, help has come from the Gold Star Wives, Suncoast chapter, an organization for military widows and widowers of troops who died in combat or from service-related disabilities.

The chapter has donated about 20 sets of bedding for the 16 beds that Tampa Crossroads offers homeless veterans. It organized a fundraising dinner to buy kitchen appliances for the house.

"It's not giving them a handout. It's a hand-up," said Suzanne Gerstner, chapter vice president and secretary.

Reporter John W. Allman can be reached at (813) 259-7915 or jallman@tampatrib.com.

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