Due to the escalating nature of the economic crisis, the Community Foundation saw a need to respond quickly and in a targeted fashion.  To do so, we surveyed nonprofits in the community to identify where we could have the most impact.  You can read the survey here. 

Through many conversations and review of available data, we decided to focus primarily on providing resources to keep families who had experienced job loss in their homes.  We will invest $500,000 through Family Aid to help families affected by the recession stay in their homes and keep food on their tables.

Through $250,000 of Community Foundation funding, families will have access to expanded services:

• Rental Assistance Program (Partner with Community Action Program) -Approximately 100-125 families will be able to access short (one lump sum) and medium (multiple monthly payments) term rental assistance. Payment will go directly from CAP to landlord per a signed agreement to ensure families are allowed to remain in home.
  
• Temporary Family Shelter (Partner with Water Street Ministries) - This program will target families who are not chronically homeless but simply have no other options than to enter a shelter at this time.  Approximately 4,000 families will have access to one night stays in the family shelter.
  
• Rental Assistance Microloan Program (Partner with Tabor Community Services) - Fund will be set up for Tabor’s Rental Consulting to Prevention Homelessness clients to access a flexible fund to maintain stable shelter through paying bills and establishing repayment schedules with Tabor.  Approximately 50 families will receive assistance.  Only families who are already involved with the program are eligible.
  
• Extend Clothing and Food Bank Hours (Partner with Council of Churches) -Funds will support personnel costs associated with evening clothing and food bank hours.  Approximately 2,000 families will have access to extended hours.

In anticipation of the expanding impact of the recession, an additional $250,000 in funding is being made available to nonprofits through a competitive grant process to address emergent community needs. 

Family Aid is one example of how the Lancaster County Community Foundation is responding to evolving circumstances within the county to help create a stronger, more stable community.