Another local charity is also feeling the pinch.

My Friend's House, a Collingwood-based shelter for abused women and children, had to dip in their reserves for the first time in 2007 and are projecting a $177,000 deficit for the 2008 fiscal year.

Executive director Alison FitzGerald said the organization always projects a deficit, so they know how much money they need to raise to pay for expenses including rent, supplies and food.

However, in 2007, revenues came up about $36,000 short of actual expenses.

Funding of $518,000 from the Ministry of Community Safety and Social Services just covers the salaries for the 10 permanent staff members, who not only counsel women coming into the shelter but also clean the shelter, answer the phones and do the laundry.

"We are multi-taskers. We just have to be that way," she said. "We are truly a skeleton staff."
FitzGerald asked Collingwood Council for financial assistance and council passed a motion, by an 8-1 vote, (Deputy Mayor Sandra Cooper was the only naysayer), to give My Friend's House $10,000.

Council also plans to put forward a motion requesting that the province fund the shelter at the same level as similar facilities in Alliston and Orillia which, according to FitzGerald, receive about $50,000 more than My Friend's House.

FitzGerald says the rising cost of salaries - because of new pay-equity legislation - food and utilities are felt by the shelter as well.

She said Wasaga Beach has supported the organization in the past and she plans to approach them again, as well as Clearview.

FitzGerald said the money is a good start to their fundraising drive this year.

She says the 12-bed shelter serves about 600 women and children from across the Georgian Triangle.

FitzGerald says there are more than 150 incidents of domestic violence a month and only 10 per cent are reported.

She said My Friend's House sees the most extreme cases of physical and emotional abuse and added it's difficult for some women to leave an abusive relationship, as many feel it is safer to stay than leave because their spouses or partners have threatened to retaliate.

"It's fear of the unknown," she said. "How are they going to rent an apartment?"

The organization operates an emergency shelter and crisis line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and also provides an in-school education program, a community outreach program and a transition program that helps women get back on their feet after leaving an abusive relationship.

FitzGerald says the shelter can accommodate up to 14 beds. An expansion is on the horizon, she added.

"There are certainly times when we are at our capacity," she said.

The group has funds set aside to use if they need to, but she is hopeful they won't have to use reserve funds again.

"I'm quite proud of the work our board of directors has done," she said.

The organization's major fundraiser is The Daisy of Hope Putting Challenge on Fri., June. 20 at Georgian Manor Resort.

For more information on My Friend's House, click the link provided.