June 10, 2010
By KRISTI FUNDERBURK

VINELAND -- Staff and clients of local service agencies that would be largely affected by Gov. Chris Christie's budget publicly asked the state Legislature on Thursday to vote against the governor's proposals.

A group called Better Choices for New Jersey organized a rally of roughly 25 people at the Spanish Community Center on East Wood Street. The group pleaded for state lawmakers to stand up to Christie by opposing his budget and overturning his veto of the so-called millionaire's tax -- which was meant to restore a higher income tax on those making more than $1 million.

"These cuts affect honest people, affect families that don't have the means," Landisville resident Craig Beckesh said.

He is a three-year client of Shore AHEC, one of three New Jersey Area Health Education Center with locations in Atlantic City and Landisville.

Beckesh, the sole caretaker for his 89-year-old father, counts on that center for health screenings, bill assistance, and various resources for his father.

Staff at the Spanish Community Center and Shore Area Health Education Center, as well as Casa Puerto Rican Action Committee expect more layoffs and fewer services for a growing clientele because of eliminated or reduced funding.

The clients rely on the programs for health screenings, emergency food distribution, after-school latchkey programs, domestic crisis counseling and bilingual training for parents, said Arlene Munoz, the Spanish Community Center's director of program operations.

The center stands to lose about 50 percent of its funding, Munoz said. That will affect the center that serves roughly 2,500 people with its quarterly health screenings and 1,975 people with its food pantry, she said.

It was through the Spanish Community Center that Vineland resident Caroline Cortes found her way into a licensed practical nurse course after she was laid off and through Shore AHEC that she learned her 11-year-old son needed glasses.

"People just sometimes need a helping hand," Cortes said.

Elyse Perweiler, associate director of planning, development and public policy for New Jersey AHEC said the group needs state funding to better its chances of receiving federal funding.

Loss of that funding impacts the group's ability to train underprivileged students about health care disparities, issues of cultural sensitivity, health literacy and access to health care, she said.

Tony Melendez, executive director for Casa PRAC, said he could have to lay off four of his nine employees, which will increase wait times for clients.

The Chestnut Avenue facility is also planning to cut its youth program that serves 30 academically challenged children on July 1 and end its job readiness program for teenagers in December, he said.

"We hope events like this will open the eyes of the legislators," Melendez said.
 

Originally available at: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20100611/NEWS01/6110319