PLATFORM : Charities Caught in the Squeeze

While the state budget cuts dictated that almost every organization, public and private, suffer some sort of reduction in government support, in many cases the private agencies received proportionately greater cuts than did the public programs. The larger groups could lobby and exert tremendous influence to ensure that various departments, agencies and organizations would be spared.

The media provided extensive coverage of the proposed cuts and closures at government facilities--libraries, fire stations, police and sheriff’s departments. Because many lack political clout, we did not hear as much from nonprofit agencies and community-based organizations that serve the needy among us.

Unfortunately, the future for many of these groups looks bleak as the state’s economy continues to flounder. Economists are predicting that recent layoffs and drastic cuts in services will worsen California’s lingering recession and delay a recovery until at least next summer. Doomsayers predict that in the long run the budget cuts may reinforce the impression that the state does not care about its economic health in the 1990s and beyond, thus hurting California’s ability to attract businesses (leading to an endless cycle of layoffs,

unemployment, more budget cuts, etc.) Last spring’s riots demonstrated the intense feelings of hopelessness and frustration felt in many parts of Southern California.

If California is to survive as a state that provides vital social services for those in need, it is up to each of us to step in and help. Because United Way has traditionally organized the community into a cohesive fund-raising effort that provides more core funding for human services than any other non-governmental organization, we automatically become involved in the budget crisis. When the state reduces or eliminates funding to health and human services, they call on our assistance more than ever. Last year, United Way of Greater Los Angeles distributed $41.7 million to more than 300 human-care agencies, helping more than 3 million area residents.

In the past, United Way has been successful in bringing together a wide range of businesses and individuals to help us with our fund-raising efforts. Because of the recession, this will be more difficult than ever. However, for the sake of our vital community agencies, it is essential that everyone who can makes some sort of contribution. Community involvement is no longer a matter of choice; it’s a necessity.