OHIO, USA —
A number of organizations throughout the area have lost state funding through a federal program. As a result, they're struggling to keep up with services.
One of those programs is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio.
According to state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo, these cuts are from a state budget that was approved in 2023 by legislators.
The funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, otherwise known as TANF, was divided between different organizations between the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. Hicks-Hudson said organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Bethany House had received funding for the 2024 fiscal year but lost funding for 2025.
Hicks-Hudson said a lot of the funding was given to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, the Children's Hunger Alliance, and the Toledo SeaGate Food Bank.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio's CEO Marvin Whitfield said funding was earmarked for the organization for 2025. He said they found out in June that the organization would not be receiving funding.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ohio has received $1 million for over ten years. The northwest division receives around $100,000, Whitfield said. The $100,000 helps create matches between 34 mentors and mentees.
Whitfield said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio serves an average of 200 kids throughout Lucas and Wood County at all times.
The organization is currently working with state representatives to find funding opportunities to help fund matches between mentors and mentees.
"They are creating paths for us to be able to apply through their offices for some federal funding next year," Whitfield said.
Whitfield said the agency had been working to be less dependent on grants, and more on community support, but even more now, as many grant applications don't open until 2025.
"That's the problem," Whitfield said. "We can't apply to the first of the year. Then you have the grant approval process and before you receive the first dollar may be well into that summer or that fall."
Hicks-Hudson said with the state senate in recess, the community should put pressure on elected officials.
"I think that everyone should be contacting their legislators as well as the governor and saying this is an unnecessary and a detrimental blow to young people in our communities," Hicks-Hudson said.
Whitfield said the focus now is fundraising through the community.
"We're really hoping that the community steps up and gets involved and supports us at least when we get over this initial hurdle," Whitfield said.
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