Non-profit groups present budget requests

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

DISHMAN

The county’s Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Wayne Pryor, held the second of three meetings to hear budget requests from Warren County non-profit organizations Thursday. Representatives from 10 local organizations presented their budget needs to the committee.

The most substantial request came from the Warren County Humane Society, represented by Joyce Drake and Lori Cantrell, which asked for a total of $28,500, some $3,000 more than the previous year. The extra money was needed to mend animal pens which had fallen into disrepair according to Cantrell.

UCHRA, represented by Gloria Cole, requested $7,669, $500 more than requested from the previous year and $2,000 more than was approved, according to committee members.

Making an unscheduled appearance at the committee meeting was Barry Dishman for Kids of the Community, a new non-profit organization coordinated by Warren County Juvenile Court. The organization works with foster children, children who are involved with the juvenile justice system, and children who are considered at risk.

“We now have a population of around 8,500 people that are under 18 years of age that are living in Warren County and we’re seeing one out of eight,” said Dishman, “So I can’t go in many places in Warren County without running into somebody that the juvenile court touches.

“We spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours here in this room wondering what to do about a jail,” he continued. “The theme I’d like you to think about tonight is to spend some money on “prevention instead of detention.”

Kids of the Community asked for $3,600 to support its program.

The Warren County Food Bank called in its request for $3,000, according to commissioner Pryor, since its representative was unable to attend the meeting.

Also requesting $3,000 was the Department of Children services represented by Angela Bess.

Julie Sullivan appeared for ARC which asked for $2,550.

Karen Hale represented the Department of Human Services and Julia Carter appeared for Alliance for the Mentally Ill, both seeking $2,000.

The American Red Cross, represented by Joann Burby, asked for $750 and the J.A.C.O.A. did not attend the meeting but sent in a request for $400.

The final meeting of the Health and Welfare Committee to discuss non-profit budget requests will be Monday.