CHARITIES WORRY ABOUT LOCAL NEEDS 'COMPASSION FATIGUE' FEARED.Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer The United Way and a number of other nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. are bracing for an expected drop in donations in the wake of charitable giving to Hurricane Katrina victims. Individuals, churches and corporations already have given more than $1 billion to aid the Gulf Coast recovery effort, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy estimates that giving eventually could top $2 billion. But that has some agencies worried that they'll see fewer donations for food, housing, education and training programs to help the needy
``When there's a disaster, I do see an expanded wallet. But people can get compassion fatigue compassion fatigue, n emotional drain experienced by caregivers us-ually after caring for another with a progressive illness. ,'' said Elise Buik, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the United Way of Los Angeles. ``Nonprofits here are concerned that people will give to the families in the Southeast or evacuees Resident or transient persons who have been ordered or authorized to move by competent authorities, and whose movement and accommodation are planned, organized and controlled by such authorities. , but then we have a whole slew of people who depend on their donations locally and (nonprofits) don't want to turn them away.'' Los Angeles County is home to 1.6 million people living below the poverty line - which means an annual income of less than $19,307 for a family of four - and local nonprofits rely on a steady stream of donations to provide a safety net for the region's poor. The United Way raises the bulk of its donations by partnering with companies on fund drives that allow employees to deduct charitable contributions from their paychecks. Companies usually kick off the effort in October, but a number have pushed back their fall campaigns, wary of asking employees to donate again so soon after collecting for Katrina victims. Meet Each Need with Dignity in Pacoima postponed its early September appeal for donations by three weeks. This is usually the lean time of year for the group, which provides emergency clothing, food, medical care, job training and youth activities for Northeast Valley residents. ``We're crossing our fingers and hoping for the best,'' said Marianne Haver haver Verb 1. Scot & N English dialect to talk nonsense 2. to be unsure and hesitant; dither [origin unknown] Hill, executive director of MEND. But Hill knows donations tend to dwindle dwin·dle v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles v.intr. To become gradually less until little remains. v.tr. To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease. after major disasters, as they did after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and last December's tsunami in Southeast Asia. MEND applied for a small grant from the local Wal-Mart and was told that the store had depleted de·plete tr.v. de·plet·ed, de·plet·ing, de·pletes To decrease the fullness of; use up or empty out. [Latin d its relief fund by donating to hurricane causes. ``I would encourage people in terms of being extra generous,'' Hill said. ``It's a worthwhile thing to give to hurricane relief. There are also needy people in their own backyard and neighborhood who need support meeting their basic needs.'' Local nonprofits might be extra-cautious in the coming months as they wait to see whether annual holiday donations are diverted to hurricane relief. Ileene Parker, program director for community support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services for the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. Interfaith Council, said her group might delay new projects until it knows more about finances. The council runs a food pantry and meals-on-wheels program, as well as offering support services for seniors. ``Our need here did not diminish or vanish because of that disaster.'' Parker said. ``We're trying to analyze where we are and trying to be very cautious.'' But Parker knows that locals plan to devote a lot of time and money to hurricane relief. Her congregation at Northridge United Methodist Church United Methodist Church, in the United States, religious body formed by the union in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church (see Methodism). has raised money for immediate relief for Katrina victims and is planning donations over the next three to five years to help rebuild churches in storm-damaged areas. ``People are just moved and they want to do things. They want to send supplies. They want to volunteer. You always want to help people who are in worse shape than you are.'' Kerry Cavanaugh, (818) 713-3746 kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com HOW TO GIVE --United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Attn: Finance Department, 523 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; www.unitedwayla.org. --San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, 10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth, CA 91311; www.sfvic.org. --MEND, 13460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331; (818) 897-2443, Ext. 21. CAPTION(S): box Box: HOW TO GIVE (see text) |
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