HARRISBURG, Pa. — Staff and volunteers of Faith Friendship Villa are calling upon Governor Shapiro in a desperate plea for emergency funding.
“We’ve sent many letters, emails, phone calls to the governor, videos, and to all elected officials and there really hasn’t been any response as far as fiscal support,” said Fae Skuya, a villa volunteer.
The nonprofit receives half its funding from financial donations.
Board Treasurer Rick Morgan says the villa began experiencing financial difficulties after a former staff member was convicted of sexual abuse of 14 residents in 2022.
“Without that emergency funding, it’s very much in question whether or not faith friendship ministry and the home for 70 adults with mental disabilities will actually remain,” Morgan said.
It isn’t the first time the ministry has asked the governor’s office for support.
“We’re asking for more than what we need to just survive. We need to go forward and we need to provide more beds, homes, and caring family environments for individuals with special needs,” Morgan explained.
Family members like Rachel Buch worry their loved ones may soon face eviction.
“That’s kind of the reality of what will happen if faith friendship goes out of business…. Is that these people will be facing homelessness,” Buch said.
Staffers say many residents can’t care for themselves and feel as though they’re being punished for someone else’s crime.
“I’m actually a child sexual abuse survivor myself, I know firsthand that it is family, community, togetherness, and structure that is so crucial to the healing process,” said Veronic Jimenez, Direct Care Staff.
“My brother was one of the victims and his love for Faith Friendship has never wavered, neither has mine,” Buch added.
FOX43 reached out to the governor’s office for comment on whether the state will grant emergency funding but did not receive a response.
The ministry is accepting donations through its website.