Re: Sheltered workshop update.

[Guest guest]

Here's an update on that sheltered workshop.

Right now they are saying it is about $30,000 in debt and needs about $60,000 to make it through the next grant cycle and get them through the end of the month.

However:

I have also heard that there were other problems. The director of the workshop seems to have known there were problems as much as a year ago. Rather than try to find a way out of it all, she gave away the contracts the workshop had and seemed willing to let the place close.

I'd be interested in knowing the specifics of those problems. Rules and regulations change, and it could be something as simple as that. Perhaps the infrastructure of the facility is deteriorating. Perhaps funding and donations are down, which is usually the case with non-profits.

Also, a man offered a place 2,000 square feet larger than the existing location for half the price in rent. That alone would have been a savings of many thousands of dollars per year. This offer was declined.

It was probably declined for any of three reasons:

1) The zoning was wrong.

2) It may have required a hearing with the resident of local residents before the facility could occupy the new location.

3) Significant capital might have needed to be raised to alter the new location to make it suitable for the new occupancy.

The workshop had two full time employees to mind the 40 or so employees, all with mental and/or physical disabilities, and one part time or volunteer person who also helped out.

Personally, I think that director needs to be investigated and see what motives she had for her actions.

My one issue would be in the area of grants. There are literally tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of grants available for the asking from governments and foundations. Some require matching funds from donors. Others require nothing but some background info on the non-profit itself. This woman needs to explain why she was not constantly applying for grants.

Funding IS lower than in previous years because many foundations have seen their investments sink with the falling of the stock market. Yet there should still be plenty of money available to keep the place running.

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