Funding Cuts Put Future Of First Step Workshop in Peril

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   A request by First Step Workshop to use the old Holbrook Public Library building located next to city hall was withdrawn Tuesday evening as First Step board member Joni Gillespie told the council the non-profit organization is in danger of losing its state funding.
   Gillespie told the council that within days of the last council meeting at which the use of the old library building was discussed, First Step board members were notified that the state is cutting its funding by at least $1,000 per month.
   “That would make it impossible to pay extra for utilities,” she said.
   According to Gillespie, First Step officials already met with Holbrook City Manager Carlo Pilgrim to discuss the situation. She noted that if another city building, such as the current police department building, becomes vacant in the future, First Step Workshop would like to be considered as a purchaser or tenant, but at this time, they cannot afford moving costs or utilities.
   Gillespie also explained that the reductions in state funding have been temporarily halted by the courts, but the measure is only temporary and First Step staff is preparing for the time when those cuts are put back into place.
   Mayor Jeff Hill asked whether First Step would be able to stay open if the state cuts $1,000 per month from its budget.
   Gillespie replied that she did not know, explaining that it would depend on staffing changes and private contributions.
   The council members did not take official action, but generally agreed that they would contact First Step officials if a suitable city building became available in the future.
   Following the meeting, Gillespie explained that First Step Workshop is in danger of losing not only the $1,000 per month in funding for specific clients, but also a total of $36,000 per year if the state follows through with proposed cuts of $1 per hour, per client.
   “We would have to close our doors,” she remarked. “Even a $1,000 a month could close our doors.”
   She noted that Holbrook residents have always been very generous in donations to First Step, but with so many non-profit organizations needing assistance, she does not believe there is enough private funding to keep them all running without outside funding.
   “People here are so generous,” she said, “but there are so many organizations that are in need. I just don’t think we can ask the residents of Holbrook to support everything.”
   In the meantime, the First Step board and staff will continue to serve clients in the existing location, and will do what they can to protect their state funding and keep their doors open.