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Domestic violence and assault care center leaders warn of instability without county support
Summary
Leaders from the county’s trauma/assault care center and the Willow Domestic Violence Center asked commissioners for one-time and ongoing help to cover rising premiums and operating shortfalls; the trauma-center director cautioned limited reserves could threaten continuity of services.
At the July 9 Douglas County budget hearings, Sarah Berry, executive director of the Trauma and Abuse Care Center, told commissioners the center is operating with minimal reserves and said county investment is critical to preserve outreach and programming.
"If funded, our outreach and programming will continue to grow stronger," Berry said, warning that the center had little reserve when she took over and that fundraising traction has been slow despite events such as a gala and Denim Day. She said the center conducts work in many county locations — including jails and shelters — and that constrained reserve levels leave the agency vulnerable: "I fear that the care center is going to be not wobbly, but maybe a thing of the past," she said.
Jill Dudley had earlier flagged that the Willow Domestic Violence Center included a one-time supplemental request to help cover increased health insurance premiums. Willow executive director Jessica Beeson (introduced at the table) was present to answer questions about the organization’s operational shortfalls.
Commissioners asked about partner coordination and additional fundraising steps. Berry outlined fundraising strategies the center has tried and said building reserve is difficult in the local fundraising environment. No vote or formal commitment was made during the hearing; staff and partners were asked to provide follow-up material and continue collaborating with county staff on funding options.
