“We simply don’t know what to expect,” Garrigan said. “It’s a very uncertain and worrisome time.”
Safe Berks is one of many organizations in Berks County feeling the pinch from the budget impasse, which makes it impossible for the state to make billions of dollars in payments to nonprofits, schools, local governments and other organizations that provide services to residents.
Garrigan explained that about 75% of funding for Safe Berks is dependent on local, state and federal funding, some of which is federal money that passes through the state before getting to the agency.
Due to the budget impasse, which has resulted in a stoppage in funds of between $75,000 and $100,000 a month, Safe Berks has been forced to deplete its cash reserves and rely on a line of credit.
If funding is not soon restored, Garrigan is fearful the agency may have to tap into some investments, risking further harm to its financial future.
“The line of credit is great to have as a backup, but the interest on it is horrible,” Garrigan explained. “What happens if this keeps going and we run out of our reserves?”
Shutting down the agency, she emphasized, is not an option.
“We absolutely cannot close down,” Garrigan said. “There’s just too much need in our community.”
Beth Garrigan, Safe Berks CEO, in her office at the agency’s headquarters.
Work of Safe Berks is ‘Multi-Layered and Complex’
Gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, Safe Berks has served tens of thousands of women, men and children seeking escape from sexual and domestic violence.
The services that Safe Berks offers are tested and proven, Garrigan said, although many people are unaware of the depth of the organization.
“A lot of people think we’re just a shelter, but the work we do is multi-layered and complex,” she said.
A women studies a red silhouette representing a victim of domestic violence.
Looking Ahead with Apprehension
Although it’s nearly impossible to plan programming or anticipate the agency’s capacity to provide services, Garrigan and others are tentatively looking toward the coming year.
“We’ll try to maintain the bare minimum in staffing and we’re looking into how to generate additional streams of revenue,” Garrigan shared.
Nine of the agency’s approximately 60 employees have already been laid off, and others are seeking other employment as they anticipate that further cuts may be necessary.
“To have to let go of people who are doing this work from their hearts is incredibly difficult,” Garrigan said. “Those layoffs were the hardest thing I ever had to do.” Garrigan said shelter residents and other clients are sensing the uncertainty surrounding the agency, resulting in a general sense of unease. “I thought the time during Covid was bad,” she said. “This is worse than Covid.”
Walkers participate in a Silent Witness event sponsored by Safe Berks.
‘This is Just Devasting’
Echoing leaders of other area nonprofits, Garrigan praised the Berks County community for stepping up in times of need to support organizations that serve them and their neighbors.
“Community support is big in Berks County, and we have a strong donor base,” she said.
She remains concerned, however, that many people are unaware of the precarious situation service organizations are facing due to the four-month funding delay.
“We’re fighting so hard, and this is just devastating,” Garrigan said. “A lot of people can ignore the situation because it doesn’t affect them, but this is impacting everything we do.”
Even if the legislature passes a budget tomorrow and the delayed money is released, there will be a lag time until funding reaches community organizations.
“We’re going to keep doing what we do as well as we can,” Garrigan said. “We’ve been working in this community for a long time, and we know that our services are needed. I just hope we don’t get so deep into debt that we can’t get out of it.”
