A Time for Giving

A Time for Giving

For those of us who work at not-for-profit organizations to provide care and help to some of New York City’s neediest residents, these are extremely difficult times.

Most all of these organizations rely first and foremost on government funding, primarily Medicaid, to offer care.  For long-term care providers such as VillageCare, this includes Medicaid funds for nursing homes, home care, assisted living, adult day health care and a wide range of HIV/AIDS services for those who have no resources of their own to access these programs.

As I’ve discussed here previously, long-term care providers have faced a tremendous load of cutbacks in state funding.  Over the past three years, overall the loss of financing for long-term care programs is approaching $1.5 billion, which came in a total of nine rounds of cuts by the State.

In a few short weeks, we’ll have a new Governor, and he has targeted Medicaid as one of the areas that he will look at in seeking to find “savings” to close the State’s $9 billion-plus deficit in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

To me, the situation is dire, because so many of the organizations that have been impacted by cuts since 2007 are not-for-profits.  These organizations serve your friends, your families and your neighbors, often with care that is innovative and responsive to individual needs.  I fear that another round of significant cuts will severely harm the safety net that not-for-profits are primarily responsible for – jeopardizing both quality and availability of care.

I have always gravitated to the not-for-profit sector, coming to VillageCare almost 19 years ago.  What motivated me most at the time was the death of a good friend from AIDS.

We have amazing people working for VillageCare – they are extremely committed and passionate about their work, and I see every day the positive impact that our services have on those we serve.  The dedication of our staff has, in turn, been an inspiration to me.

Just as other not-for-profit providers, we serve some of New York’s frailest, and impoverished, citizens.  If we don’t do it, there really isn’t anywhere else for these people to turn.  We’re their safety net.

This is where you come in.

As much as our community relies on the everyday work of charitable organizations and care providers, they also rely on you, especially in this era of considerable cutbacks in governmental funding.

Through your donations, you can help sustain the many worthwhile organizations in Greenwich Village and its surrounding communities that have a mission of community service.  Community support for these organizations is vital in this day and age.  In some cases, I believe that without an outpouring of help now in the form of private donations, some doors are going to have to be closed by some care providers.

That would be such a loss to our community, and especially for those who are in need of care and services.

I realize that these have been difficult economic times.  But I also know that New Yorkers are among the most generous people in the nation when it comes to supporting charitable organizations.

Those donations are extremely important today, and there’s not a single charitable organization in our community that isn’t facing a crisis in funding, including VillageCare.  Each one needs the help and support of the community.

These organizations care deeply about the needs of those who have considerably fewer resources than most of us are fortunate to have.  If there is a particular community need that you would like to support, you don’t have to look far for a not-for-profit that is working hard to meet that need.  And you can be sure that they need your help.

Please take time this year to show how much you care.

All not-for-profits are struggling desperately to continue to provide the basic care and services that many of our New Yorkers require – especially for frail older adults, persons living with HIV/AIDS and others with disabilities and chronic conditions.

Let’s show those who are in need that they are not alone.

If you aren’t already a regular donor to charitable organizations, I urge you to find one that supports a community need that resonates with you, and give as generously as possible.

This may be as important as anything else you do as we approach the end of 2010.

Thank you.