Support

Monetary support is an essential ingredient in CCA's ability to positively impact the lives of our clients through classes, one-on-one counseling, case management and life skills development. Individuals and businesses help change lives with their support of CCA's programs with annual contributions, major program sponsorship, endowment support and/or capital improvement investment.

Donate Now

CCA, the  Spring Valley Homeless Shelter and its programs have a continuing need for funds to pay the mortgage, day-to-day operations, maintenance, and utilities, to name a few of the ongoing requirements for a viable operation. Monetary donations are accepted year-round and can be made by mail, or online by clicking the "Donate" button below. Every donation, regardless of size, is accepted with thanks and appreciation.

Financial Perfect Storm

As referenced in The Times article, we are facing some challenging financial times - similar to many of the people we serve. We have made substantial cutbacks in our operations in order to maintain the necessary level of services for the growing number of people seeking assistance. We know that with the uncertainties in our communities today, we are all concerned about our own incomes.

Our perfect storm of financial difficulties is driven by increased expenses and reductions in incomes. While we have cut everything we can control expense-wise, like many of you, we had substantial increases this winter in utility costs. Also like many of you, we pay the residential gas and electric rate for our business (28-apartments, office space, plus a 5,000 foot basement.) In addition, our building mortgage is now part of our general operating fund. Pledge payments from the Raise a Roof Campaign had been enough to cover the mortgage payments until this year, but those pledges have been fulfilled. We have cut staff, program expenses and even reduced salaried staff pay by 10% to allow all possible support to help our participants.

On the income side, many people are surprised to learn that CCA does not receive federal subsidies to run our Spring Valley program. Private giving accounts for more than half of our annual operating budget, which includes United Way support. Since the last quarter of 2008, private support has continued to trend down, we believe as a result of the economic hardships and news that has been prevalent during that time. As an added challenge the last six months, we have been recovering from almost $100,000 in damages and repairs from the September flood. Thankfully, we have received funding - through FEMA, United Way, Porter County Foundation, donors and insurance - to help with this recovery, but it has taken time and funds away from our normal operations.