Latest news with #SojournerHouse
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
A mother talks about the value of CLTS for her disabled son
EAU CLAIRE — At the last county board meeting, County Board Supervisor Michelle Skinner (R-Altoona) brought up her concerns that $68,000 had been spent on annual passes at Chaos Waterpark for disabled children via the county's CLTS program (Children's Long-Term Support). This was compounded with Skinner's concerns over the Human Services budget, which went over by $3.2 million for the year. These two factors contributed to her voting against a motion that would have allocated $30,000 to Sojourner House, Eau Claire County's only emergency homeless shelter. Skinner's reasons were quoted in a May 23 interview for the Leader-Telegram that covered funding for the Sojourner House resolution, which failed to pass by one vote. In the article in the June 5 edition of this newspaper, we attempted to cover some of what Skinner's concerns were — in particular, the funds that had been spent for local park passes. However, press deadlines limited how complete the article could be in this regard. While this article attempts to more completely address those concerns, once again only so much could be compiled at press time. PARENT PRAISES CLTSAmber Borton is a parent of Ryker, a young boy with severe developmental disabilities. Her son is a recipient of the CLTS Program which provides waivers for things not provided by the county. While her son is a recipient of CLTS, her son does not receive the annual passes to any parks, such as Chaos Waterpark or Action City. 'One of the biggest things that we use all the time is for transportation,' said Borton. 'CLTS has to fund the modification of our truck so that I can get his wheelchair into the truck. That's been extremely helpful just getting to and from places.' She also said that the program allowed the family to remodel their bedroom to put in a large bathtub and lift system to get Ryker from the bed to the tub. 'We are working right now on getting an elevator,' she said. 'CLTS is a Medicaid waiver program,' said CLTS Support and Service Coordinator with Eau Claire County Ashley Butcher. '[Its] services go above and beyond what Medicaid can fund. It is a statewide program. Each county has a CLTS program.' Borton explained that caring for her son is a full time responsibility. 'To be plain and clear, I'm a single mom,' said Borton. 'I don't work outside my house. I can't because he needs 24 hour medical care. I truly don't have an outside income that helps me — so, absolutely, this program is everything.' A fundraising website for Ryker can be found at
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New endowment fund started to help homeless shelter's long-term needs
EAU CLAIRE—The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) has announced the creation of an endowment fund to help address the city's only emergency night-by-night homeless shelter's long-term needs. Sojourner House, operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, will be the ongoing recipient of a share of this fund which ECCF plans to grow through a conservative long-term investment approach aimed at growth. 'By investing in a conservative long-term approach, we're able to take those returns [and] build the fund while also distributing a share to a designated agency, which in this case is Sojourner House,' said ECCF President and CEO Wesley Escondo. As the fund grows through donations and investing those donations, the amount within the share given to the shelter should grow. 'If we're shooting for very safe six to eight percent returns on the fund, and we're only granting four percent, there's going to be natural growth intended to make sure that the fund is still around 50 years from now and at a higher fund balance,' Escondo said. The percentage of return will currently be entrusted to Catholic Charities which operates the shelter, but Escondo said 'if, for some reason, Sojourner House were to cease to exist for any reason, this fund could still exist to support a similar organization doing similar work, so it truly is perpetual and that is something very specific to Eau Claire and to the Chippewa Valley.' In addition to the endowment fund, ECCF also awarded Sojourner House a $100,000 grant. This, along with donations from other community organizations and municipalities, closed this year's funding shortfall which had been pushing Sojourner House toward temporarily shutting down for the summer. 'Eau Claire Community Foundation has really helped us work through this funding gap we found ourselves in for this summer,' said Rob Grover, the advancement director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse. 'They brought up the idea of establishing an endowment. We thought that was a wonderful way of trying to engage the community even more. We take in lots of funds through donations and we think this could be another vehicle.' To contribute to the endowment fund, visit or contact the Eau Claire Community Foundation. Information and ways to donate to the Sojourner House can be found at
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sojourner House fundraising breakfast to be held on Friday
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Friday is the Sojourner House's 10th annual Sojo MoJoe Fundraising Breakfast. It highlights the work the nonprofit does in providing emergency help and services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and other crises. 12 News Anchor Kait Walsh is the event emcee and spoke with Michela Serrano, who will be recognized as a success story. She is a domestic violence survivor who benefited from Sojourner House's services and is now dedicating her life to helping others. Sojourner House Executive Director Vanessa Volz said they help thousands of new clients every year, and the need keeps growing, but the funding may not meet that demand. The proceeds raised during the breakfast will fund Sojourner House's emergency shelter, housing programs, counseling, and other supportive services. Those who are interested can find tickets for the fundraiser or learn how to donate here. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Victims of crime are not alone. Rhode Island's state budget should stop treating them that way.
A coalition of 27 nonprofit victim service agencies is calling for a $30 million line item in Rhode Island's fiscal 2026 budget to fund critical services for survivors. (Photo by solidcolors/Getty image) For decades, victim service agencies like Sojourner House have been the lifeline for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, gun violence, and human trafficking. Yet, despite the vital work we collectively do to protect and empower vulnerable residents, Rhode Island remains one of the few in the nation without a dedicated budget line for victim services. This year, we have an opportunity to change that. With the leadership of Rep. Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat, and Sen. Matthew LaMountain, a Warwick Democrat and deputy president pro tempore, a coalition of 27 nonprofit victim service agencies has come together to advocate for the creation of a $30 million line item in Rhode Island's budget to fund critical services for survivors. This legislation represents a pivotal moment for our state — a chance to align our values with our actions and recognize that victim services are essential, not optional. The need could not be more urgent. In 2023, over 42,000 Rhode Islanders received support from a victim service agency. At the same time, federal funding for victim services has plummeted. The federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has been slashed by 40% in just the last year, and last week, a potential federal funding freeze threatened further instability. For agencies like Sojourner House, which rely on a patchwork of federal grants, private donations, and foundation support, these cuts have left gaping holes in our budgets. We've been forced to do more with less, even as the demand for services continues to grow. Rhode Island is already behind. States like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York have stepped up to offset VOCA cuts by allocating millions in state funding to victim service programs. Meanwhile, Rhode Island's $14 billion budget still lacks a dedicated, permanent line item for victim services. This glaring omission leaves survivors at risk and sends a troubling message about our priorities as a state. The impact of this underfunding is devastating. In 2023, nearly 30% of homicides in Rhode Island were linked to domestic violence. We've already lost too many of our neighbors to preventable acts of violence. Each tragedy is a stark reminder of the critical need for timely intervention, safe housing, and counseling services — resources that victim service agencies provide every day. In 2023, over 42,000 Rhode Islanders received support from a victim service agency. The proposed $30 million investment in victim services is not just a moral imperative — it's a strategic investment in public safety. Every dollar spent on victim services reduces the burden on emergency response systems, prevents further violence, and ultimately saves taxpayers money. But most importantly, it saves lives. On Thursday, Feb. 6, at 3:30 p.m., advocates, survivors, and legislative champions will gather in the State House Library to introduce this crucial legislation and call for bold action. We invite every Rhode Islander to join us in supporting this effort. Whether by contacting your state representatives, attending the press conference, or spreading the word, your voice can make a difference. Rhode Island cannot afford to wait any longer. Let's show survivors that they are not forgotten, that their safety matters, and that our state is committed to building a future where every resident can live free from violence. Together, we can make history — and make Rhode Island a safer, stronger community for all. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
