JULY 6, 2011
City Council approves $325,300 for social service needs
SCOTTSDALE – The Scottsdale City Council recently approved $325,300 to help residents needing additional assistance and resources during tough economic times. Funds are allocated to nonprofit agencies that, in turn, assist thousands of residents.
Available funding decreased significantly compared to last year: Scottsdale Cares will allocate $200,000 to 12 agencies, compared to $240,000 last year, a 16 percent reduction; General Fund allocations, earmarked for seven agencies, dropped 50 percent, from $200,000 to $100,000; Endowment Program funding for three agencies fell to $25,300 – about $1,200 less than last year.
“We’re facing two significant issues this year – a decrease in donations and funding and an increase in need,” said Bill Murphy, the city’s community service executive director. “It’s more important than ever to secure as much funding as possible. We are thankful to those who have generously donated to these various programs.”
Residents can contact Human Services Planner Cindy Ensign at 480-312-2646 or [email protected] for more information about these allocations or selected agencies and projects. Learn about available resources to help residents at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/assistance.
Here’s an overview of the programs and how money is being distributed:
Scottsdale Cares is a voluntary donation program that allows residents to add an extra $1 per month to their monthly utility bill. Monies fund direct human services such as meals for the elderly, child abuse and teen suicide prevention and utility and food assistance.
Agencies receiving funding from Scottsdale Cares:
Alzheimer’s Association ($15,000)
Area Agency on Aging ($10,000)
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale ($15,000)
Child Crisis Center – East Valley ($8,000)
Community Bridges ($8,000)
Concerned Citizens for Community Health ($44,000)
Foothills Caring Corps, Inc. ($5,000)
Greater Phoenix Youth at Risk, Inc. ($8,000)
Save the Family Foundation of Arizona ($5,000)
Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services ($14,000)
Teen Lifeline ($8,000)
Tempe Community Action Agency ($60,000)
Since the May 1995 inception of Scottsdale Cares, Scottsdale residents have donated nearly $2 million. Get details about each agency’s services and contact information at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/assistance/scotcares
General Fund monies are part of the city’s operating budget. Allocations will go to seven nonprofit agencies that provide services such as food and shelter assistance and counseling:
Catholic Community Services of Southern AZ – also known as Valley Center of the Deaf ($5,000)
Duet: Partners in Health & Aging ($15,000)
Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc. ($25,000)
Chrysalis Shelter, Inc. ($5,000)
Jewish Family & Children’s Service ($21,000)
A New Leaf, Inc. ($23,960)
UMOM New Day Centers, Inc. ($5,040)
Learn more about these programs and services at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Asset40557.aspx
Endowment fund allocation is based on interest income from the city’s Endowment Program:
Rassner Memorial Scottsdale Endowment Fund – Early literacy programs will receive $22,000;
Scottsdale Community Endowment Fund ($2,200) &
Herbert R. Drinkwater Youth Services Fund ($1,100); The Paiute Neighborhood Center will use $3,000 to purchase robotic equipment to improve math and technology skills and $300 will be allocated to Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) to purchase reading materials specific to topics and issues faced by the intellectual disability community.
Learn more about Scottsdale’s Endowment Fund at www.scottsdaleaz.gov
