I am writing on behalf of Sanctuary of Hope’s Board of Directors, staff, youth, and the communities we proudly serve. We are gravely concerned about the recent directive requiring federal agencies to suspend grants, loans, and financial assistance activities by 5:00 PM ET on January 28. This decision poses a dire threat to the stability of our programs and the well-being of the resilient young people and families we serve.
This pause jeopardizes Sanctuary of Hope’s ability to provide lifesaving resources to nearly 500 young people and 60 expectant and parenting families. These resources are essential for their survival and upward mobility, and the freeze has already created significant challenges:
- Housing Stability: Over 100 participants in our Time-Limited Subsidy programs—including young women and families who are survivors of domestic violence and trafficking—face delays in rent and subsidy payments. This threatens their housing security and puts pressure on small, community landlords who depend on timely payments to meet their financial obligations.
- Staffing and Program Impact: Our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to support our participants, risk losing their livelihoods. Their work in crisis resolution and trauma-informed care is critical to stabilizing resilient youth and families.
- Essential Services in Jeopardy: This pause disrupts critical programs that support youth and families in resolving urgent needs such as housing, employment, and basic survival. Many turn to us at their most vulnerable moments, and any interruption in these services deepens their struggles. Furthermore, it jeopardizes our violence prevention initiatives, which play a vital role in fostering safety and stability in our communities.
This crisis comes as our region grapples with the aftermath of wildfires, further straining our resources and community. Without immediate intervention, Sanctuary of Hope will be unable to meet the urgent needs of our participants, protect our staff, or ensure housing stability for those we serve.
We urgently ask for your leadership and action to:
- Advocate for a Reversal: Work with Congress to challenge and reverse this directive, ensuring federal assistance remains uninterrupted.
- Invest in Interim Support: Provide direct assistance or facilitate resources to sustain our programs, prevent service disruptions, and protect housing for our participants.
- Safeguard the Most Vulnerable: Stand with us to ensure that young people in our programs, our staff, and small community landlords are made whole during this pause.
We urge you to act swiftly. Sanctuary of Hope is a lifeline for hundreds of youth and families who rely on us to navigate crises and create pathways to economic independence. Now, more than ever, we need your partnership to preserve our mission and the critical work we do.
Thank you for your leadership, advocacy, and support.
Janet