Rebekah’s Children Services in Gilroy, a social services organization that offers outreach to children with severe emotional, mental or behavioral issues, could be downsizing due to budget setbacks at the county level, according to Roy Melendez, Director of Development Donor Relations at Rebekah’s.
Rebekah’s – a 115-year-old nonprofit headquartered at 290 IOOF Ave. in Gilroy and throughout the Bay Area – is “looking at that right now, with respect to responding to the upcoming budget,” Melendez said.
In a recent re-organization, two Gilroy employees were let go.
As for whether future cutbacks will include layoffs, “it’s just a bit too early to share with you what the impact in our human resources will be as we move forward,” explained Melendez, “We’re actually going through a number of opportunities to reorganize.”
Rebekah’s has approximately 200 employees between its main campus in Gilroy and several other branches, which are rooted in Salinas, Monterey and Campbell. The nonprofit’s residential program in Gilroy can accommodate up to 20 children.
When asked to illuminate any concerns he may have for the welfare of Rebekah’s, Melendez replied, “there are a number of concerns,” but added he does not want to go into detail until he discusses it further with his executive director.
If Rebekah’s does downsize due to budget setbacks, it wouldn’t be the first time.
In the past year, Melendez says the nonprofit re-organized its residential program, downsized its census and initiated a reduction in force.
“Just like many of our fellow agencies in mental health, we’re dealing with budget cuts from the state, looking at how we’re reorganizing to keep the services and moving forward with the client base we have,” he said.
Rebekah’s has about a $14 million annual budget, according to Melendez. The nonprofit has $6 to $9 million in reserves, “but those are invested funds, Melendez explained. “We can’t just draw from them.”
The nonprofit’s income stream is divided between contracted services and contributed income through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, according to Melendez.
Melendez did confirm Rebekah’s is currently searching for a piece of large property in rural South County that could serve as a residential facility that specifically caters to families with autistic children.
Establishing such a facility is one of several business opportunities the nonprofit is currently exploring, according to Melendez.
“We are looking at a number opportunities with respect to that type of facility,” he said.
Check back for additional developments to this story.
