Recently, someone asked me about a typical day at FSC, and I found it challenging to provide a straightforward answer. The very nature of the services we offer makes it unpredictable – each day can bring different challenges and opportunities.
However, once a year, in September, our federal partner, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), designates a specific day for their initiative called “NNEDV Counts” (this year, it was on September 6th). This initiative requests agencies like FSC across the country report on the services they provide within a 24-hour period and identify the needs that couldn’t be met due to limited resources. The results of NNEDV Counts are then released as a report each year in the spring.
For years, the universally most pressing unmet needs have been for emergency shelter and housing. Our FSC shelters have been consistently at full capacity for months, and unfortunately, it doesn’t appear this situation will change anytime soon. Regrettably, this challenge is not unique to FSC; other domestic violence organizations in our region are facing similar circumstances.
The level of funding we receive, whether through grants, contracts, or donations, directly impacts our ability to serve survivors effectively. To be completely candid, a typical day in the life of the FSC executive director involves ensuring that we secure the necessary funding to maintain high-quality programs and services for our clients while also ensuring that our dedicated staff are compensated fairly for the vital work they do. Some days, this can be a more formidable task than others.
October marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for FSC, and it’s also the start of a new fundraising year. A significant portion of our budget comes from our fundraising efforts, which encompass events, campaigns, and general giving. These funds are vital to our ability to provide critical support to our clients.
Over the next three months, there are many opportunities for you to engage with and financially support FSC. Even the smallest amount can make a huge difference.
Let me leave you with this one thought: “Small acts of kindness, when practiced consistently, have the power to create ripples of huge change in the world.”
Hope and Healing,
Tay
