Catholic Charities in Joliet closing offices for four days

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Updated: March 21, 2012 8:03AM

JOLIET — Claiming a lack of funding has left it “financially paralyzed,” Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Joliet plans to close its offices for four days to help close budget gaps.

Offices in Joliet, Lombard, Morris, Kankakee and Bourbonnais were closed Friday and also will close March 5, April 9 and May 25. Staff is taking a mandated unpaid furlough those days, according to a news release.

This is the second year in a row that Catholic Charities has instituted furlough days, said Lorri Nagle, director of development.

“It’s very, very hard for us to ask (staff to take unpaid furlough),” Nagle said. “We’re still figuring out a way to do the best we can with dwindling resources.”

The organization already has laid off nine staff members and believes the furlough days will prevent future layoffs, it said in the news release.

Nonprofit agencies that rely on government funding have been struggling through the state’s budget crisis, trying to stay afloat in the face of reduced funding and increasing demand for service.

“We’ve done the classic things. We’ve tightened our belts in every area I think that we know how,” said Art Dykstra, president of Trinity Services.

Trinity Services is a nonprofit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities or behavioral health needs.

Dykstra is waiting to hear what Gov. Pat Quinn suggests in his state budget address.

“We’re trying to network with people, contact people, and I’m trying to figure out what’s being suggested,” Dykstra said, adding he fears the budget deficit is large and could mean more cuts to social services funding.

Ines Kutlesa, chief executive officer of Guardian Angel Services in Joliet, said the agency also has had to deal with budget issues.

“Just like all of the other social service agencies and non-profits in the area, we have to go forward conservatively,” she said. “Thankfully, we’ve still been able to provide all our services that are significant to the community.”