{"id":7310,"date":"2024-05-14T16:33:31","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T19:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qccrfm.com\/news\/?p=7310"},"modified":"2024-05-14T16:33:31","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T19:33:31","slug":"charlton-appeals-to-queens-councillors-for-more-transition-house-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qccrfm.com\/news\/2024\/05\/14\/charlton-appeals-to-queens-councillors-for-more-transition-house-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlton appeals to Queens councillors for more transition house funding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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District 3 Coun. Maddie Charlton asked for a way on Tuesday to boost funding for the South Shore Transition House Association. (Region of Queens YouTube channel)<\/p><\/div>\n

Thirty-four community groups in Queens County will be getting almost $150,000 in funding from the municipality, but one councillor worried on Tuesday that one organization wasn\u2019t getting enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Region of Queens approves funding requests each year from non-profit groups for operational, capital or event funding through its community investment fund.<\/span><\/p>\n

Groups have to meet various criteria to be approved for funding. Eighteen groups applied for funding of more than $1,000. Another 16 applied for help under $1,000. Council must approve all requests over $1,000. Staff alone can assess and approve those requests under $1,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

The South Shore Transition House Association asked for $5,000 so that the Bridgewater-based Harbour House can help clients in Queens County from a more secure location in Liverpool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stephanie Sereda, the region\u2019s community development co-ordinator, explained the association’s request to councillors.<\/span><\/p>\n

“They currently have been in the Liverpool area serving clients for two years from a location that is just not secure. They have requested that they can find a safe and secure space, this would cover rent, transportation to and from for their clients.<\/span><\/p>\n

“This would be for Queens County residents who are experiencing domestic violence to go and receive counselling and support and they\u2019re brought in from all corners of Queens to the Liverpool area to this particular location. … But the space is very public and it\u2019s a very private matter. They\u2019re just hoping to continue to support in a better location.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But because the organization\u2019s cash assets made up more than half of their operating budget, they were eligible for only $1,250 under the community investment fund. The amount that can be awarded to an organization is reduced if its bank balance or assets are above a certain threshold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other organizations were also not awarded all the funding they requested.<\/p>\n

District 3 Coun. Maddie Charlton asked if there was any way to make an exception to the policy to ensure the transition house association got its full funding request.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see this request considered to be supported in the full amount because I think it\u2019s important that women in Queens County have access to a resource like this in Queens County and they don\u2019t have to go elsewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlton wanted to see the motion amended.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other councillors, however, said that while they support more funding for the organization, they couldn\u2019t support going against the policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

District 6 Coun. David Brown said he would support a standalone request, but he wouldn\u2019t support changing the policy in this case.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a very worthwhile cause but we have to have some consistency in how we deal with things. We can’t decide that one area or group is not as deserving as another area or group. I think that\u2019s a slippery slope we go down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut if we decide we want to give more to this organization, it\u2019s a very good organization, we have that option at a later time and in my mind, that\u2019s the best way to go today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayor Darlene Norman said that she couldn\u2019t amend the motion, because it would be a substantive change and it would be out of order. Norman suggested that Charlton make a motion at a future meeting that council fund the remaining $3,750 requested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis council does highly support South Shore Transition House and the outreach they provide for the women in Queens but this council wishes to keep in check with the policy that we\u2019ve developed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the end, councillors voted to support the recommendation to give the South Shore Transition House Association $1,250.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Councillors approved all funding requests recommended by staff, for a total of $147,858.64.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the organizations awarded more than $1,000 in funding through the Region of Queens community investment fund.<\/p>\n

Operating investment funds (for eligible operating expenses up to the amount stated)<\/span><\/p>\n