Coronavirus is both driving people to SOS and trimming a major revenue stream for the agency.
On KVOE’s Talk of Emporia last Friday, Director Connie Cahoone said domestic violence cases have risen and the cases are “strong,” meaning they are worse than normal. The shelter is full. Child Advocacy interviews are at record numbers. Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, is also struggling to meet the recent demand.
This is happening at a time when SOS is down $7,000 in grant funding from last year. Cahoone says grant funding is vitally important — but it’s also restrictive in many cases.
Good news for SOS came last week when SOS Strong raised almost $41,000, or more than double the annual goal of $20,000. Cahoone says that money will help to offset the reductions in grants and also help SOS meet immediate needs it can’t through grant funding.
Even with SOS Strong and its success, Cahoone says financial donations are always needed to help with urgent gas or food requests. She also says CASA volunteers are desperately needed at this time, and she encouraged people to find SOS on social media and share posts to keep getting the word out.
More information is available by calling 343-8799 or by going online to www.soskansas.com.
