Hope Crisis Center asks York County commissioners for $1,500 as grants shrink

Carmen Hinman, executive director of Hope Crisis Center, told the York County Board of Commissioners the nonprofit served 684 unduplicated victims last year and is seeking a modest $1,500 increase in county support to help sustain services as grant funding declines. "Our unduplicated victims that we served last year was 684," Hinman said during her presentation, citing program statistics included in the group's annual report.

Hinman described the center's 24-hour hotline, bilingual advocacy and emergency assistance across seven counties, and said shelter capacity is limited: the center sheltered 22 adult victims and 22 child victims for a combined 631 nights last year. She outlined the organization's financial picture, saying it provided more than $20,000 in housing assistance and over $36,000 in shelter support in the last year, and warned that federal and state grant reductions have tightened the agency's operating margin. "Our victims of crime act grant has been cut tremendously for us," she said, urging the board to consider a small increase in York County support dollars so the office here can continue operating.

Commissioners asked for further financial detail; a commissioner requested a copy of the nonprofit's revenue and budget documents and Hinman agreed to provide them. The presentation concluded with Hinman thanking the board; she said the organization will continue collaborating with local partners including community action agencies, CASA and area colleges to meet client needs.

The board did not take immediate action on the request; the presentation will inform budget discussions scheduled for upcoming meetings.