Social services hit by budget cuts, demand for aid

Caitlyn Stephen sees them every day.

Her Yuba-Sutter United Way office in downtown Marysville does not have a clothes closet, a food pantry, an emergency fund for walk-ins, or any other kind of hands-on service for the poor and indigent. It is merely a fund-raising entity.

Yet people in need — some on drugs, some mentally ill, some who have recently fallen on hard times — come through Stephen's door in increasing numbers. They are seeking some kind — any kind of assistance.

These days, Stephen, executive assistant for the United Way branch, says she is at a loss to help.

"I have lists of places to call, but it's so overwhelming how many people are in need right now," she said. "The services are just not there."

As the specter of a $20 billion deficit casts its long shadow over the state, low-income areas — where need is highest and nonprofit charitable organizations are the most strapped — are hit especially hard.

In Yuba County, a recent round of pink slips landed hard in Health and Human Services offices, where a dozen employees have been laid off.

"We rely on state funding, and those programs are all getting thinned," said Yuba County spokesman Russ Brown.

Even prior to the recession, Brown said, social services money had been inadequate.

"We've had the same funding since 2001 with no increase for inflation and the cost of doing business," he said.

The jobs recently lost "are mostly administrative." Still, he said, service providers' time will be stretched thin.

"The demand is increasing dramatically. People are needing assistance," he said.

Katrina Wallis is among those who are seeking help.

She had been an auction and flea market dealer for most of her life. When she relapsed recently into drug addiction, Wallis said, the problem pulled her family into a financial spiral. Eventually, they were put out of the trailer they had been renting.

Sutter County Housing Authority, overwhelmed by the demand, no longer accepts new applications. Food banks are struggling to keep up and a hike to get the day's meal sometimes turns out to be a long one.

The Salvation Army Depot Family Crisis Center in Marysville has a six-month live-in program, but a much longer wait for an opening.

Wallis' husband, Jerald Wallis, once was a firefighter for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Later, he worked as a certified maintenance technician.

But a motorcycle accident two years ago left him permanently disabled and dependent on his wife.

The family of four, which includes a 15-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, recently secured a one-night stay at a local motel through funds from the Christian Assistance Network, then a second night through Craftsmen for Christ.

"The scary thing for us is that you can't camp legally," said Katrina Wallis. "And if you don't have running water and electricity, CPS (Child Protective Services) can take your kids away from you."

Wallis knows the way back up will be much slower than the ride that got her here.

But she is back to attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

And, late last week, with the help of references from several charity groups, she found a suitable apartment in Linda. She and her family moved in Friday.

That's more than many are able to get.

Wallis said every agency seems to be operating on a shoestring

"But they're all trying so hard to help us," she said.

CONTACT Nancy Pasternack at 749-4712 or at npasternack@ appealdemocrat.com