MOCKSVILLE, N.C. —
Federal funding cuts have impacted the Winston-Salem Urban League and the hundreds they serve for months.
Now, we are seeing the ripple effects, as a critical community outreach agency in Mocksville that relies on its funding says it's facing an uncertain future.
Krystal Dumas has owned and operated Just Hope in Mocksville for the past 15 years.
“The last probably four months have just been terrifying, and I feel like it's just getting worse and worse," said Dumas.
She said she started the business out of her home and car, hand-delivering food and clothes to people in need.
“The amount of lives that's been touched in 15 years, I can only imagine. But I started this simply because when I moved back home after going to school, I seen that we didn't have a homeless shelter. We didn't have a domestic violence shelter," she said.
And now they have expanded, becoming a safe haven for the people of Mocksville, anyone experiencing hardship from homelessness to family crisis. Offering services like food, clothes and even therapy.
“People come here to just hope when they don't have hope," she said.
Dumas calls this God’s work – a mission she says is funded through their store, 'Just Thrift'.
“So, all of our customers that come through our doors, it helps keep the doors open. Obviously, we have overhead. Private donations help pay mine and my full-time staff salary," she said.
But half of her staff are paid for through the Senior Community Service Employment Program at the National Urban League, also known as SCSEP.
And for months, the organization has worried about how federal funding cuts would impact its DEI programs like SCSEP.
“Obviously, that was a huge stimulant to their income. They are not taxed; it's an extra $210 to $250 a week. Paid minimum wage through the Department of Labor," she said.
Dumas explained that this is a program for senior citizens, 55 and older that helps them stay active in the community, fight mental illness and keep a steady wage to maintian their independence.
Two of her employees, "Miss Kay" and "Miss Roberta," say it's an experience that is priceless for them.
"I just love it. I never thought I would get a job here," Miss Kay said.
And they both started out as customers of the thrift shop.
"This means a lot, I've made connections in the community and I love the people," Miss Roberta said.
The budget for the program originally allowed them to work 30 hours a week. Dumas said in May, those hours were cut in half.
Dumas said funds were already tight, and as they awaited funding for the new fiscal year, they got an email saying, as of July 1, funding for SCSEP had been put on pause.
It also stated that these workers, including Miss Kay, Miss Roberta and two others, could not return to work, collect unemployment or benefits, or volunteer for free, based on the current nature of their contract.
“If I could pay them myself. Obviously, I would. I'm literally trying to rub nickels together to make dollars, trying the best I can just to keep the doors open," she said.
Until the money is unfrozen, Dumas said, because she's lost half of her staff, she may have to cut her operation hours.
“I want to know what the problem is like. Why are programs that are specifically put in place for the poor, the disabled, children, the elderly? Why are they being affected?" she said.
WXII has reached out to the Winston Salem Urban league to find out exactly how much money they receive from the government for this program, and for updates on the fund’s status.
Right now, Just Hope is running a fundraiser to help keep their doors open. Click here to learn more.