LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Center for Neighborhoods in Louisville is down to barely nothing as the 50-year-old nonprofit suddenly laid off most of it's staff earlier this month.
Known for it's cleanup efforts and collaboration with neighborhood associations for over five decades, the building is now nearly empty.
"Last week we had five full time staff members.... right now we have only one full time staff member," Executive Director Mikal Forbush said.
It's Neighborhood Institute Program is also on hold after they made that tough layoff decision.
The organization's total budget is roughly $350,000, which includes maintaining staff and their office space.
Louisville Metro has provided $50,000 and another $89,000 for one of it's programs; it's also received funding from the Owsley Brown Foundation.
"It's just not enough to get us through the rest of the fiscal year so we're currently both looking for new funding," Forbush said.
He and board members are working on a plan to maintain operations long-term.
This news is hard for Russell neighborhood community organizer, Jackie Floyd.
"That's a shame because how many organizations do we have that's actually out there in the community helping people develop their power," she said.
Floyd used to work for the organization as a community liaison five years ago.
"I think that the elected officials on Metro Council, they really need to fund this great organization," she said.
Ronald Grove, chairman of the Park Hill and Algonquin Neighborhood Association, has worked closely with the center.
He felt now is the time for the community to work together and help the center.
"If they don't do it, who's going to do it; who is here for us, we need somebody to be champions in this community," Grove said.
The Center for Neighborhoods isn't going anywhere; the organization is just putting a pause on staff and programming, hoping to resume programs in the fall.
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