SAN ANTONIO - Dozens of non-profit organizations pleaded their case for more money to county commissioners today. Many of them are at risk of losing major funding.
One of those organizations is Dress For Success. They serve more than 1200 clients a year. These are men and women who need help getting a job and have no where else to turn. Now, the organization that's helped so many, needs help themselves.
Lisa Chasteen use to be a Dress For Success client; a mother of two, homeless and needing help.
"I think the hardest thing was listening to my son say, “You know, I remember you bathing us in a Valero”," Chasteen told us.
Now, Lisa works for the non-profit; suiting up men and women to help them get back into the work-force.
Lisa: "If we're not there to support and encourage them... I don't think there's another agency like this that's going to help them."
Today, Lisa spoke on behalf of Dress For Success. The organization has never needed help, until now.
"We've had an increase in actual physical things, like out clothing and jewelry, and things like that. But there's been a decrease in the amount of funds we've received," Pamela Taylor, Dress For Success Director, said.
Problem is, in an effort to save money, the county isn't accepting any new funding applications. Leaving Dress For Success off the list.
The county's budget office is also recommending a 20% funding cut for all current non-profits. Programs like the Food Bank and Catholic Charities will be impacted. We were there as dozens of community organizations made one last plea to county commissioners for money.
County commissioners will be reviewing the recommendations made by their budget office and then considering the comments made by these organizations. They will make their official decision on these cuts by Friday.
We'll keep you posted on what happens.
