KAYSVILLE -- Warmer weather makes it easier to leave an abusive relationship -- and start the hard road over. But in spite of it being the middle of winter and still cold, more women and their children are seeking refuge at Kaysville's Safe Harbor domestic violence shelter. The shelter has stayed full through January and well into February, a first for the facility, says director Kay Card.

"Last month we turned away 20 families due to being at capacity," she said. "Turning away" means trying to refer them elsewhere, but means they have to seek help from shelters either in Ogden or Salt Lake City

Rumblings that the federal community development block grant (CDBG) program could see cuts troubles Card. "That gives great service to the homeless, those families who are at risk, families, cities in need."

It's geared to providing funding for run-down areas, sections of cities that have a high proportion of those living at or near poverty.

If it hadn't been for the $380,000 CDBG grant over two years, awarded to Safe Harbor, Card doesn't know how the new 10-apartment transitional shelter could've been built. That funding was crucial, along with donations and other money, to making the shelter a reality earlier this year.

"We have 10 families with 18 kids who would still be living, struggling in the community. It's (funding cuts) a trickle-down effect. Law enforcement would have to deal with (abuse) problems, etc.," she said. "It's scary on a national and state level."

The Legislature can't treat agencies like Safe Harbor, which is a non-profit, non-government agency, like a business, Card emphasizes.

"How do you put an amount of money on a family that can be healthy and happy, when there are problems, and you know what those problems are. It's like putting your head in the sand, and hoping the problem will go away," she said.

Saying any funding shortfall can largely be picked up by faith-based organizations is almost "laughable," Card says. "They're struggling as well. Catholic Community Services used to help us, but two years ago they dropped funding. The Salvation Army can hardly keep their doors open."

Decrying what she fears may be a growing "me only" mentality among some people, Card said "some of our best experiences have come from donations from the most humble individuals -- those who went without lunch for a week and donated the money saved, or who gathered small donations from 10 of their co-workers."

To those who want to lay the problem at the feet of the women and children in the program, she borders on getting indignant. "It's not their (residents') problem that we have a huge deficit or have to fund the war in Iraq. It's cruel. Every program needs to be looked at."

Card isn't planning on giving up or passing blame. She says there will have to be more educational efforts in the community to alert county residents to the Shelter's needs. "We need to get more private donations, but the brunt falls on government. I'm worried."

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com







Safe Harbor is administered by a private, non-profit board of trustees of residents from throughout the county. It was literally started in 1997 "by someone in their living room" who realized the county had an unfulfilled need.

"We can't increase our capacity and services 100-125 percent and be cut 10-40 percent" in funding, Card said. "The expectation for me is that my books have to be balanced every year, not like government."