CLEAR LAKE - The affiliate organization of Northwoods Living is looking to raise $400,000, and is asking for the public's help to do it.
The Clear Lake-based Opportunity Village, which is also affiliated with Humboldt Services, in Humboldt; Choices Made Independently, in Webster City; and Eagle Grove Services, in Eagle Grove; has set goals of reducing its annual expenses by $200,000 and raising $400,000 without decreasing the services it offers to individuals with disabilities.
'We're not just sitting back and hoping we can weather the storm," said Michael Mahaffey, chief development officer at Opportunity Village. "Rather than hoping things just work out on their own, we're switching our thinking and making changes in a way that won't alter our services. We want to be able to cut back. We need to, but in a proactive way."
The $400,000 is intended to help maintain the programs and services, which include residential homes, work opportunities, day services, and therapeutic and recreational activities for clients. Opportunity Village operates six facilities and serves individuals with disabilities from 40 different Iowa communities.
According to Mahaffey, the organization is about halfway to its goal. Approximately $103,000 was raised at this year's annual benefit walk, and another $100,000 was raised through individual donations.
"We have been looking to raise $300,000 in charitable gifts from families and interested individuals," he said. "I am very pleased with how individuals have responded to our need."
After finishing fiscal year 2009 with a deficit of more than $1 million, the organization has been making cuts in the best ways it can by re-evaluating job descriptions, dividing work responsibilities between more employees and not restaffing vacant positions when possible.
It has also engaged the help of its employees.
"To help reduce $200,000 in expenses, we've had a staff initiative to come up with creative ideas in their areas for cost containment by suggesting a variety of ways to lower costs, like reducing grocery bills in the homes and coming up with volunteer opportunities for jobs that volunteers can do unpaid rather than employees. They have been able to come up with about 60 percent of that goal."
Mahaffey said Opportunity Village will not be laying off employees, if possible.
"We've never had to lay off any of our employees and we are hoping we don't have to," he said. "We've been able to save about $100,000 through re-assignment of duties."
Locally, anyone interested in donating to the fundraising campaign can contact the facility in their community directly. Mahaffey said they should write "switch," to indicate the fundraiser's theme of "Switch Our Thinking," in the memo line of their checks to ensure their gift is utilized properly.
"We're doing everything we can to address the needs of individuals with disabilities," said Mahaffey.
Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net