KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The first 100 days of the Trump administration has been tough on local at-risk communities according to a coalition of 39 area social service organizations, some already taking cuts and laying off, and this is just the beginning.
A news conference was held at the YWCA, where CEO Susan Rosas introduced some of the hardest hit organizations who deal with housing, food pantries and immigrant rights.
She says millions have already been cut from local programs and there’s a potential for another $222-million that could be slashed, which would mean lost services for 100,000 local residents.
Patrece Griffin, who oversees housing at the Continuum of Care says the housing crisis and homelessness will likely get worse.
Jennifer Johnson, the director at Loaves and Fishes says they are losing programs that they will be hard pressed to replace locally, like a recent $350,000 hit from the Department of Agriculture.
Susan Reed, the director of the state’s Immigrants Right Center, says funding has already been slashed to give legal aid to mentally impaired migrants being held in jail and children.
They say you can help by contacting your elected officials and letting them know you don’t want these programs cut, and by donating or volunteering at a local non-profit.
They have set up a website that will keep tabs on the issue and provide information at Solidaritydata.org
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