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Economic crisis puts strain on social center

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: October 28, 2009

UNIVERSITY AREA - The University Area Social Services Center experienced a 60 percent increase in clients in its most recent fiscal year.

Center manager Lucious Davis reported the figures at a recent meeting of the center's advisory board.

Davis said about 15,000 people were served in the 2008-09 year, which ended Sept. 30, compared with about 9,000 in 2007-08.

For 2008-09, the center at 13605 N. 22nd St. provided more than $2 million in direct assistance to residents. The money came from taxes and grants, he said.

"That money provided what I call 'rescue' to avoid evictions, cutting off of utilities. It was all the direct result of layoffs, job loss and reductions from full time to part time," Davis said at the Oct. 21 meeting.

He said indications are that the center will have to help as many people this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

Board members, representing social services agencies or educational institutions, said they would continue to try to make the community aware of the growing needs.

All said their own agencies were experiencing increases in people needing help.

"We keep seeing the numbers coming in," said Jennifer Durgee of 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares. "Many are having a mortgage crisis."

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 259-7662.

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