By Julie Van Domelen, EFAA’s Executive Director
Whether you are a supporter of your favorite local nonprofit or a vulnerable family seeking services from a local nonprofit, you have benefited from Worthy Cause funds. Worthy Cause funds address key issues in Boulder County, help our neighbors in need live better, fuller lives, and build a stronger community for everyone.
Voted in by Boulder County residents three times, Worthy Cause funds come from a .05% sales tax (that’s one nickel on every $100 purchase) to support human service organizations by helping fund critical capital improvements that would otherwise not be possible. It is once again on the ballot this year.
As one of Boulder County’s oldest human services nonprofits – one that has helped tens of thousands of families over the past 99 years – Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) stands in strong support of voting yes on Boulder County ballot measure 1A to continue Worthy Cause funding through 2033.
Since 2000, Worthy Cause funds have gone toward health care clinics, child care and early childhood learning, affordable housing, aging services, mental health services, basic needs and much more. In the last eight years alone, the fund has distributed $2,000,000 to propel vulnerable residents on their path toward economic security, overall well being, and a more stable future.
EFAA has used Worthy Cause funds to make important capital improvements to our short-term and transitional housing for homeless families, as well as increasing the number of housing units available to help families build back up after a crisis. EFAA housed 147 families last year alone.
What does EFAA housing mean to these families? Picture the relief on the face of the newly widowed mother of four when she found out she and her children would have a safe place to live for a couple months while she got back on her feet. After the long illness and passing of her spouse, she was faced with eviction after an unexpected 20-percent rent hike hit her already depleted resources. Her family’s only options had been to live in their car or on the street. But then she found EFAA and a chance to build a better future for her family.
Over the past four years, Worthy Cause funding has helped EFAA repair decks and railings to be more safe, replace single pane windows with double pane for better energy efficiency and warmth, improve drainage, fix foundations and structural beams, replace weather-worn roofs and siding for building longevity. The list goes on for EFAA’s 52 housing units serving cities across Boulder County.
Worthy Cause is widely viewed as a successful way to improve our community for all. EFAA encourages you to support the measure again this year.
The post EFAA Supports Worthy Cause. Vote yes on ballot measure 1A. appeared first on EFAA.
