Multi-Service Center and nonprofits around the state are pivotal places of safety, strength, support, and services in our communities. We are places where folks receive support with food, heat, employment, housing, advocacy, resources, and referrals, but most importantly compassion. Our community continues to tell us how crucial it is to have these services available. We will continue to provide them to the veterans, seniors, families, children, immigrants, and folks in poverty.
Right now, we are facing significant challenges with our federal funding potentially being halted and at risk with harmful, dividing policies. Over 30% of MSC’s budget is federal funding – which was applied and awarded through rigorous applications and maintained by detailed metric reporting. Nonprofits work tirelessly to meet the high expectations of funders. To weaponize fear toward marginalized and vulnerable communities by holding or halting funding is harmful and concerning.
This is a time for advocacy for funding to continue to flow in order for services to be uninterrupted. These vital services keep people fed, warm, and housed. They keep people safe in their long-term care facilities. Without these sources of funding, we risk the destabilization of our safety net in our community, putting many at risk.
MSC values our community members and their well-being and will continue to show up in service to them in the ways they ask us to. We are continuing to center the safety and well-being of our clients and staff as we navigate these historic moments.
The actions we take and what we know to be true is that we will not be knocked off our center – our values stand – thank you for standing with us.