Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

In budget crunch, antibias group makes changes

The Tampa office of a national group lays off one employee, may reduce a program.

By MARCUS FRANKLIN
Published May 15, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - The Tampa Bay office of the National Conference for Community and Justice, a nonprofit group dedicated to eradicating discrimination, has laid off an employee and may change one of its marquee programs to ward off a budget shortfall.

The regional office at 750 93rd Ave. N let go of Donald Taylor, program specialist for Anytown USA, the lauded residential leadership program for high school students. Local NCCJ officials also may cut the number of nights students spend in the Anytown summer retreats from six to four.

But even with Taylor's $30,600-a-year position eliminated and Anytown's possible shortening, the regional office still may fall short $30,000 to $50,000 when its fiscal year ends in August, said Birgit Van Hout. She replaced retired executive director Roy Kaplan three weeks ago.

Van Hout and other NCCJ officials said they plan to make up the shortfall by improving fundraising and marketing strategies.

"Maybe this is a time for some in the community to evaluate how relevant NCCJ is," Van Hout said. "Maybe this is a time for people to think about how important we think diversity is and that bridges are built between the different communities."

"I'm not concerned," she added. "We will break even or better at the end of the fiscal year."

But Taylor, who said he was told of his termination on Wednesday, said he was concerned there was too much focus on revenue and not enough on the NCCJ's mission.

"My biggest concern is that knowing what I hear when I go into the schools that this organization is not in a position to meet those needs," he said. "That's not good for our children."

Jim Albright, chairman of the Tampa Bay regional office, said, "We'll be okay."

The NCCJ - which fights bias, bigotry and racism, and promotes respect through workshops, seminars, diversity training and multicultural youth leadership programs - works through government, schools and businesses. Its current operating budget is $750,000, Van Hout said.

The group works in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The office has seven full-time staff members and two full-time volunteers.

In recent years, the number of NCCJ regional offices has dropped from 60 to about 38, Van Hout said. Albright said many of the closed offices were small and struggled to stay afloat.

Marcus Franklin can be reached at mfranklin@sptimes.com or 727 893-8488.

[Last modified May 15, 2005, 01:20:21]