Bereavement society’s future uncertain
Non-profit organization must find core funding or close its doors
A non-profit organization that helps individuals cope with the loss of a loved one will be forced to shut its doors by the end of November if additional funding is not secured.
The Bereaved Families of Cape Breton Society helps hundreds of people each year as they navigate their way through the emotional pain and suffering that comes with death.
Society executive director Wynn MacNeil said Tuesday that because the nonprofit operates with barely any core funding it is extremely difficult to secure program grants.
“Core funding is an issue for not just us but for all notfor-profits right now,” said MacNeil. “We’ve never been able to access core funding to allow us to have that security for our core operations.”
One of the difficulties in obtaining operational funding is that governments often stipulate that grants are not to be used for such purposes.
The society employs one person for 15 hours a week, making it a strenuous task to raise approximately the $20,000 a year for operations.
MacNeil said if the society shuts down it would place an increased burden on health care, as many of the society’s clients have no private insurance.
MacNeil said among her referrals is a woman whose doctor recommended she receive urgent grief counselling, however, through the public system it would take six-to-eight months for a first appointment.
On Tuesday, there were already 12 people waitlisted for a spousal bereavement program.
“It puts a lot of stress on the organization because we’re always going from project to project not knowing if we’re going to make it,” said MacNeil.
“We hear all the time about the strain on mental health, so without anybody putting this money up front to allow us to do the work it’s going to create a bigger expense on the other end.”
Bereaved Families has typically received the largest share of its funding from the United Way of Cape Breton but in recent years was advised they would have to begin covering their own operational costs.
United Way executive director Lynne McCarron said Tuesday that monies have been provided for two programs run by the bereavement society, in conjunction with a secondary partner.
Due to fundraising limitations and the society’s lack of financial sustainability, McCarron said United Way is unable to provide full support to the bereavement service.
“How much money I give to organizations is dependent on how much money I can raise, so if an organization is solely dependent on us and I don’t raise enough money there is no sustainability there for the program,” McCarron said.
“For example, last year because of the (October) flood I was impacted negatively in my (community) campaign so we weren’t able to give as much to organizations as we would have liked to have been able to do.
“It’s not predictable. It’s not like a government grant that’s somewhat predictable from one year to the next. We’re a little bit more unique than that.”
McCarron said United Way must spend community donations responsibly and is now working with the bereavement society to help it find additional program partners.
Nina MacDonald-Chiasson of Glace Bay, who attended a support group following the death of her husband in 2010, said there were impacts of the program that lasted far longer than its six-week schedule.
“Some of the women in that group and myself … we met in a social way afterwards,” said MacDonald-Chiasson. “It’s just so wonderful being with people who have that shared experience of grief because you can continue to tell your story over and over and that’s what you need to do.”
The bereavement society will host a Royal Tea on Saturday at St. Theresa’s Parish Centre in Sydney as a fundraiser for its upcoming programs.
MacNeil is also asking anyone who has benefited from the society’s work over the last 27 years to phone both their MP and MLA to draw attention to the need for funding.