Domestic violence organization faces financial woes

A problem with air conditioning not only has the Hope’s Door domestic violence office in financial problems, it affects its ability to host programs for its visitors.

Economic troubles have hit the nonprofit sector, and the organization is having difficulty finding the necessary unrestricted funding to prepare for unforeseen circumstances while still keeping programs at full funding.

Patrice Tosi, the CEO of Hope’s Door, said as with any other nonprofit, unrestricted funds – funds that can be spent in any way – are difficult to come by.

“We really need to reach out to the community to, No. 1, let them know we need them to help,” she said. “And No. 2, that we’re here for them.”

Especially with the dire shape of the economy, she said companies are cutting back on donations and the organization is not getting as much money from the government.

Tosi said this problem is made even more difficult with the fact that programs are expanding and needs in the community continue to grow.

Hope’s Door is an organization that helps families overcome domestic violence, with programs including counseling for the abused, an emergency shelter, a crisis hotline and an intervention program for abusers. It is the only shelter and counseling service for domestic abuse in Collin County, Tosi said.

Most of the counseling that the organization provides occurs inside the office in which the air conditioner is not functioning properly.

Tosi said the organization has been soliciting additional funds since the beginning of the year; not having enough funding to keep the service running is something she said can keep her up at night.

And with the extra expenses that broken air conditioning can incur, the organization simply does not have the money to replace it without asking for a donation from the community.

Cline Taplin, director of fund development with the organization, also said he is looking for a flow of funds, not a one-time donation.

“I want to build a relationship,” he said. “I don’t just want a guy to write me a check.”

Because a flow of money makes it possible to budget, Taplin said, it also would allow the organization to account for possible unexpected expenses – such as the air conditioning in the offices or the flat tire one of the organization’s vans had earlier in the week.

The vans provide transportation from the offices to the organization’s shelter.

“It’s a need, and people can see when we ask money for a program it’s different than asking for money for a van,” he said.

The organization now is just soliciting funds to remain operating, Tosi said; it will look toward growing programs with donations from fundraising events that will be hosted later in the year.

Safety is one of the main goals of Hope’s Door, she said, but comfort is a close second. Because many of the people who show up have nothing, it is important to make them feel comfortable.

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