Long time subscribers to this blog know that I have a problem with the Rescue Mission and other assorted sacred cows. Fifty years ago the Mission gave a cot and bowl of gruel to forty or so men a night and was run on a shoe string. Today, they still give the cot and gruel to about 60 men, but take in over $3 million dollars a year.. Although they fundraise endlessly, they're sitting on almost $6 million in the bank.
While I have blogged about them being overfunded before, I wasn't really tuned into their slavery program. As Pawlowski's trial began, City Council awarded them a three year contract to clean Hamilton street for $845,000. The Mission turns around and uses this contract to solicit more donations, by advertising that they provide employment and job training for the downtrodden. What they do not reveal is that they deduct for room and board from the wages they pay, making their workers something between indentured servants and slaves.
These sacred cows in the valley make the donors feel good about themselves. Gunther looks like a hero making meatballs for an annual spaghetti dinner at a local church. Those who bid on a meatball feel good about themselves. Don't let a cynical blogger like myself ruin your appetite.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteHave you discussed any of this with any members of the board of the rescue mission?
scott@7:17, this is not my first post on the rescue mission. a number of years ago when they were in the apartment business harvesting section 8 rentals they actually evicted people, actually making people homeless. i understand the genesis of your question, having noticed who is on the board. good well intentioned people volunteer for all sorts of organizations. overall, the mission may well provide benefit to the homeless of allentown. however, that doesn't mean that they escape scrutiny from this blog
ReplyDeleteLook at the pay of the Executive Director, [$100,000+]. For me, that tells the story!
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ReplyDeleteThat is not an unreasonable salary in the valley for the skill set necessary to do that job and would be surprised if it wasn't lower than other local non profits. For instance, check out what the executive director gets for running the Velodrome.
That said, I do not defend people just because I have known them for years. Like everyone else,I have know both honorable and dishonorable people for extended periods of time. I do however consider the people I know on that board, and I know three of them, to be honorable. They put a lot of volunteer time into this worthy effort, it is a huge responsibility, and they seek no accolades for their efforts. In other words they do it for all the right reasons.Therefore it is not unreasonable to ask them to address your concerns and offer them a chance to explain before posting something that is accusatory.
scott@7:50, i was told by a source i deem reliable that after the workers have their room and board deducted, there isn't much left. all figures that i provided in the post i verified. furthermore, the mission spends over $800,00 annually campaigning for donations. whatever scrutiny this blog post visits upon them is justified. as for accusatory, obviously indentured servant and slavery take some poetic license.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteNumbers are numbers but outside of context mean little and as we see here can be used to impugn. You presented only one side.
scott@8:14, I knew the mission when they operated from the funds of a thrift shop next to their first floor fifty years ago. I knew the mission when they purchased apartment houses on 8th street 20 years ago. I knew the former owners of those properties, and knew the deals involved. In my post I acknowledged that the mission is a sacred cow, and the pushback here and elsewhere isn't surprising.
ReplyDeleteIf as a result of this post their client workers end up with a little less deducted from their paycheck, I think that will be a good thing. They are a non-profit operating on a $3million annual budget, a little sunshine won't hurt them.
Mike, I think your point is well taken. The only additional thing I can add is that since the 1990's the place is immaculate and security was beefed up. That in itself is lot better for life at the mission.
ReplyDeleteNon profit does not mean no one makes money, or that no one is not well paid. Non profit simply means that no stock is issued. It is a form of corporate organization, not an indicator of profit or loss.
ReplyDeleteWhether $3M in the bank reflects an unconscionable accumulation or a reasonable amount for working capital is a value judgment. Since it appears the mission of the organization has not appreciably changed (i.e., over the years it feeds essentially 40 - 60 people on a regular basis) then one has to examine salaries, any rental expenses, and food costs to determine when the advertising budget is grossly exorbitant pursuant to the contributions received.
It is well known that many "charitable organizations" advertising on late night TV spend 1% on the cause, and 99% on salaries/advertising/soliciting. That is unconscionable.
The Rescue Mission has articulate people on the Board, they can surely explain/justify the finances, and then the public can make a judgment as to the value of their contributions and whether reform is warranted.
I would say that anyone who is interested should ask. I have every confidence the people on the board would be willing to engage sincere questions.
ReplyDeleteTrent,
ReplyDeleteYou raised good points.
I don't have an issue with deducting costs from the residents. It is similar to college students doing work-study. They get tuition reduction for their labor. In both cases, I believe the experience is worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks good on paper. Get knee deep in the hoopla then talk!
ReplyDelete10: 17 You just compared homeless people to college students.REALLY!
ReplyDeleteThe mission is not like it used to be years ago. It is a rehab for the drug and alcohol addicted homeless, that will follow the rules and regulations. It is also a place where people can be paroled to if they do not have an address. The residents have to give their food stamps over to the mission as well as their paychecks. But the police department is the place you have to apply to get a bed there. I was told by a few people over the years that had to stay there that their belongings are not safe. They steal from the people and this is an ongoing issue for many many years. The first job the residents get through the program is a volunteer position for several weeks. Which is the clean team. Then when they are finished that level they can be promoted to the next level.
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