Sudbury's Independent Living cuts back while waiting on government funding

A Sudbury non-profit organization for people with disabilities has cut programming and staff while it waits on government funding.

Now, some of the almost three hundred members of Independent Living are voicing their concerns.

Neil Penner became a member about four months ago, impressed by the Friday night coffee house it hosted.

Penner said that weekly event and other activities have been cancelled due to a lack of staff.

He said it's the same story for the woman who taught cooking skills in their industrial kitchen.

"Of course contracts ran out, funding ran out, and the meal program had to close down," said Penner. "We don't even know if or when that sort of thing will be able to be re-started."

Independent Living executive director Rob Dimeglio said every year he has to apply to various levels of government for funding.

April is the start of the new fiscal year, but Dimeglio hasn't heard back on any of his 18 funding requests.

"The members have reacted, upset. Some of them are very upset, almost angry with me. But they understand it's beyond my control," he said.

Dimeglio said Independent Living has three people on staff right now, down from 15 last year. He said the operation is now relying on fundraising efforts, rent from a law firm in their building and modest membership fees, 

But, he is hesitant to raise those member fees to pay the bills.

"A lot of our members are on fixed income and I just, have a problem with that," said Dimeglio. 

"I want to be able to raise our memberships but they're only $12 a year. Maybe we can go up a little bit. I just — I don't know that's the answer."

Morning North9:20Hard financial times for Sudbury's Independent Living

Independent Living is a charity in Sudbury that helps people with disabilities. The organization is facing some serious financial challenges right now. The CBC's Kate Rutherford spoke with its executive director Rob DiMeglio about the funding problems.