Lancaster charity tries to eliminate long-running deficits
(Lancaster) — The Lancaster County nonprofit Water Street Ministries is trying to get back into the black, but it could be another couple years before that happens.
Based in Lancaster, it provides shelter, food and clothing to the homeless, as well as medical and dental services, and mentoring programs.
Water Street also runs some programs outside Lancaster County, but those will soon either end, or be handed off to other non-profits.
Chasz Parker took over as President at Water Street in February 2013, and since then, has battled to cut costs and boost donations.
“We’re trying to make sure that there’s no abrupt changes for anyone at any time. But we are making changes, winding down some programs, as we start to kick off other programs,” says Parker.
He says the deficits, which have run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, have required cutting positions as well.
Parker says Water Street is hoping to have 30 people take the voluntary buyout offer. So far, five have.
“I feel like we’re spinning so many plates, that occasionally ones just going to fall, and I wish it didn’t. Some of the things that we’re actually trying to do, if I was even in the for-profit sector, would be pretty amazing if we could get them done,” adds Parker.
Within three years, he intends to cut any operating deficits at the nonprofit.
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