2024 was quite a ride for Peace House Community. We started the year projecting a $100,000 deficit, and contemplating having to close PHC’s doors permanently. However, thanks to the amazing generosity of many people and organizations, we ended the year with a $40,000 surplus. But even as we celebrated the continuation of our work, we ran into more challenges. Within the first two weeks of 2025, we heard that two of our grant applications had been declined, taking $60,000 away from this year’s projected income. Then, out of the blue, the Department of Human Services added $30,000 to our grant for this year.I guess this is how a yo-yo feels.
Before I go further, I want to thank everyone for the high points of our yo-yo journey. As I said, we were starting serious conversations about how long PHC could survive. The fact that we made it to the 40 year mark is a statement about the compassion, loyalty and generosity of our supporters. Whenever PHC has needed them, they have come through. So thank-you for your prayers, your gifts, your encouragement, and your letters that have kept us going all this time. (Since I open all of our mail, I get to read all of the letters. Usually they come with a donation, but some folks write just to encourage us, even if they can’t afford to give anything at that moment. When someone cares enough about our community to send a note because it’s the most they can do, it reminds me of how much support we really have.)
As I mentioned, the yo-yo took a dip to start the year, but we aren’t in panic mode. We know we have time to recover, and we have a strong community backing us. We’re disappointed the foundations aren’t supporting us this year, but we’re not despondent. We are confident that together, we will get through this challenge.
So, again, thank-you. I have said this before, but it bears repeating. Let me know if you would ever like to drop by to see PHC in action. I’d love to show you around, partly because I am proud of PHC, and partly because it’s fun for me to meet the people behind the names I see on our mailing list. Even if you just have a question, give me a call, so I can say a personal thank-you.