緊急消息﹕聖路易基督教華人社區服務中心現正面臨嚴峻財政挑戰，如果未能得到足夠支持，中心將需要大量削減、甚至完全停止服務。
在過去四年多中，社會服務中心一直忠心和努力的服務聖路易區的華裔和亞裔，眾多人士都從我們的服務受惠。我們的老人活動為長者帶來歡樂、醫療服務為因為經濟或者其他原因未能獲得照顧的病人提供了必須的治療、入籍班幫忙多人成功通過入籍考試…我們的成功可以一直數下去。
中心的服務也受到各方的認同和表揚，並多次獲得不同的嘉獎，包括美華協會、密蘇里州衛生部、中美華裔科技協會，和最近的副州長 Peter Kinder 先生等等。
但是，中心一直以來，卻只從本地華人社區中得到少量支持。在過去四年多中，少於四分一的預算是從社區而且來，而當中大部分都集中於幾個支持者身上。中心運作費用主要依靠由外地的捐贈和慈善基金撥款。
最近，中心未能獲得幾基金的繼續撥款支持，而原因並不是因為他們不滿足中心的服務，而是他們認為本地社區的支持需要增加。大多數的慈善基金都只支持有不同捐贈來源的機構，一個機構必須獲得本地社區的支持，才能同時得到慈善基金的撥款。
中心存在的唯一目的就是服務華裔和亞裔社區。我們多謝外地的支持者和慈善基金，在我們開始的時候大力支持，使我們可以證明我們有能力提供優質服務。但是，中心長期的運作必須依靠本地社區的支持。我們需要華人社區的支持，我們需要你的幫忙。
中心需要在七月三十一日前籌得最少5萬元，才可以讓現有的服務在2008年不受影響，以後的運作更需要大家不斷的支持。我們也需要各方面的義工。讓我們一同在聖路易建立一個更好的家吧。
An Open Letter to the St. Louis Chinese American and Chinese Community
URGENT MESSAGE: The St. Louis Christian Chinese Community Service Center is facing tremendous financial challenges. Without adequate financial support, the Center will have to drastically reduce the very much needed services we provide or even close out our services completely.
For over four years, the St. Louis Christian Chinese Community Service Center has been diligently serving the Chinese American/Asian community in the metro St. Louis area. Many people have benefited from our services and hard work. Our senior program has brought joy to many seniors who otherwise would be home alone. Our medical clinic has provided life-saving care to those who could not obtain care due to financial or access barriers. Our Naturalization classes have helped many to become U.S. citizens… Our list of accomplishments goes on and on.
The larger community has recognized and highly impressed by the center's service. The center has received numerous awards for the excellent services provided, such as awards from the Organization of Chinese Americans, the Missouri Department of Health and Social Services, the Midwest Chinese American Science and Technology Association, and most recently the Lt. Governor of Missouri, Mr. Peter Kinder.
Yet ironically, the center has not received adequate support from the local Chinese community. During the past four years, only about 25% of the center's budget is from local support. A large portion of this came from just a few donors. Most of the center's operations were supported by donors from other communities and from foundation grants.
Recently, we have not been able to secure continual support from foundation grants for the center. This is not because they are not satisfied with the center's performance. Instead, they think that the level of support from the local Chinese community needs to increase. Most foundations will more likely fund organizations with a balanced source of support and donations. An organization must demonstrate support from the community to receive continue foundation grants.
The sole purpose of the center is to serve the local Chinese American/Asian community. We are very thankful to the foundations and outside donors for helping us get started and demonstrate our ability to do great work. However long term operation of the center depends on local support. We need more support from the Chinese American community. We need your help.
To ensure continuation of services at the current level till the end of this year, the center must raise $50,000 by July 31. For success beyond this year, we need regular support from you. We also need volunteers from all walks of life. Let us work together to make St. Louis a better home for us. |
