During a recent city council meeting, community leaders and representatives from local organizations presented their initiatives aimed at supporting residents in Merced. Dr. Ivania Brown, CEO of Serenity and pastor of Walking by Faith Ministries, highlighted a new after-school program set to launch at the Periope building on Canal Street. The program, which aims to serve approximately 50 students, will offer free services and align with existing school assessments, providing enrichment activities until June of next year.

Sheila Garcia from Harvest Time expressed concerns regarding delays in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which is critical for their operations. She noted that the program's start date is jeopardized due to the lengthy approval process, potentially pushing it back to April or May of next year. Garcia urged the council to expedite funding decisions to alleviate financial strain on organizations like hers.

Mika Martinez, a volunteer with Harvest Time, shared her personal experience with the program, emphasizing its importance in providing food assistance to families in need, including veterans. Leticia Luque, also from Harvest Time, detailed the organization's significant contributions, stating they distributed over 518,000 pounds of food last year. She stressed the necessity of continued funding, as the organization no longer has church backing and relies heavily on community support.

The council acknowledged the challenges faced by these organizations and the difficult decisions ahead regarding funding allocations. Mayor Serrato and council members expressed their appreciation for the community's efforts and reiterated their commitment to making informed choices that best serve the residents of Merced.

The council plans to revisit these discussions and make funding decisions at their next meeting on August 5th, as they continue to navigate the complexities of community support and resource distribution.