Transitions Affected by Government Shutdown

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The government shutdown is affecting non profit organizations, including one locally.

Transitions is a domestic violence shelter serving Perry, Morgan, and Muskingum counties. Transitions is generated by grants and public donations. They do a billing each month that is sent to the Federal Government, then they are reimbursed for what their grant allows. With the shutdown, they are not receiving the draw downs from the grants they were approved for. Executive Director of Transitions, Mitzi Shook, said regardless of this, the community has been extremely helpful and they are handling the situation well.

“Our community has been very generous to us, and we do have some money in the bank. We have managed our money well. So we’re not in bad shape, now that’s not to say depending on how long the shutdown lasts, of course we will not be able to go for months and months, at this capacity,” Shook said.

“It’s just that it does affect us because we are a federal government agency,” she added.

Shook also said their main goal is to have Transitions continue with their mission. Their non profit organization is extremely important because they try to prevent abuse and spread awareness that domestic violence is a real issue.

“Last year, we answered 5,462 hotline calls. And we’re staffed 24/7, so we are a residence. So we’re here all the time. That takes a lot of time, it takes a lot of hours, it takes a lot of money to keep us up and running, and providing those services we do,” she said.

Transitions appreciates all the community support they have received.