HUNTINGTON BEACH : Charitable Groups Plead Fund Causes

Fear of losing city funds has caused charitable organizations to plead their causes to the City Council.

On Monday night, about 25 representatives of charities getting some money from the city appeared before the council. They pleaded that their groups not be cut off as the city struggles with a looming $5-million budget deficit next fiscal year.

Several recommendations for cutbacks are being studied by the City Council, but no decisions have yet been made on what programs will be cut.

The largest turnout Monday night came from Interval House, a shelter for battered wives and their children. Eight people from the shelter addressed the council to ask that no city funds be cut.

Bill Williams, program director for Interval House, told the council that city aid has helped save many women from death at the hands of abusive husbands.

“This program saves lives,” he said. One woman who had been sheltered at Interval House wept as she addressed the council. She said the program meant salvation to women like her.

Other speakers included advocates for Feedback Foundation, the Council on Aging, Shelter for Homeless, Salvation Army, Huntington Beach Community Clinic, Community Services Program, Episcopal Service Alliance and the Legal Aid Society of Orange County.

Jim Miller, speaking for the Shelter for the Homeless, said, “Our funding services are drying up.” He added that the need for a homeless shelter is greater than ever now because the recession is forcing more and more people to lose their homes. “We’re even getting calls from (unemployed) bankers,” Miller said.