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Hope Crisis Center tells York County commissioners it needs continued funding after federal cuts
Summary
Carmen Hinman, executive director of Hope Crisis Center, presented the nonprofit’s 2023 annual report to York County commissioners, highlighting 602 unduplicated victims served and asking the county to continue funding as federal support shrinks.
Carmen Hinman, executive director of Hope Crisis Center, told the York County Board of Commissioners on July 9 that the domestic-violence and sexual-assault service provider that covers York County and six surrounding counties needs continued local support after federal funding was reduced. “If we're not talking about it, we're never gonna see the end to the cycle of violence,” Hinman said in the boardroom.
Hinman and Kate Park, the center’s steward advocate, reviewed the agency’s 2023 annual report and service data. Park said the program served 602 unduplicated victims last year, including 103 children, fielded 3,190 hotline calls and sheltered 32 adults and 46 children for a combined 890 shelter days. She said bilingual advocacy served about 50 Hispanic clients and that staff aided two forensic exams and assisted on nine protection orders.
Hinman said the organization uses county allocations for transportation, temporary shelter, food and rent assistance and that those local funds have helped offset federal cuts. She told commissioners the Prime Act Fund — a federal funding pot routed through the state — produced a $130,000 reduction for their program this year, forcing the agency to rely more on county contributions and grant-writing to sustain advocates in each county it serves.
Board members asked how client financial assistance decisions are made. Hinman explained that advocates assess needs and then contact the office manager or program manager (Mindy, named in the packet) to confirm available line-item funds before approving assistance, with staff tracking balances to prevent overspending later in the fiscal year.
Hinman also called out LB 940 and recent changes that affect nonprofit audit requirements; she said the center provided the board with the relevant language and appreciated prior communication with county staff. The presentation packet included the center’s list of donors, training hours, public-awareness and school-based prevention work, and a request for county budget support in the coming year.
The board took no formal funding vote at the meeting; Hinman’s request will be considered in the county’s upcoming budget process.
