MARION, IL (WSIL) -- We're hearing more from a local organization that's having trouble serving the community. Take Action Today says the state isn't giving it the funding needed to keep its doors open.
"Take Action Today is a grassroots organization," said executive director Mike Tyson. "We're independent so we don't have the deep reserves of cash that larger organizations and foundations might have."
Take Action Today is a faith-based recovery community organization that helps people throughout southern Illinois. But people are seeing signs like this on the doors. This is because of some financial issues the organization is having.
"We're [about] 90 percent funded by state-based grants," said Tyson.
And some of those grants have not been paid and as Tyson explains most are reimbursement-based.
"For us to be reimbursed from our granters for the work that we do, we have to first deliver the services," Tyson explains.
That means the organization pays its staff, along with facility costs, and provides services before billing the state. According to Tyson, this process is usually swift. So why's this time different?
"From time to time, the state government encounters bureaucratic challenges in their processes," said Tyson.
Tyson says Take Action Today has exhausted all of its available funding to the point that it cannot keep going without it.
"Last Friday we had to pull all our staff in and temporarily suspend all our services," said Tyson.
Tessa Leech works for Take Action Today and she worries even suspending these services will be detrimental to those who need them.
"It's not just people struggling with substance use, it's also people with mental health challenges," said Leech. "People who are unhoused because of this detrimental economy that we live in."
Tyson says they're determined to be back providing all services soon -- but is asking people to reach out to state leaders and encourage them to release those funds.
"Our communities are hurting and they're dying and we need to step up and continue to support these programs," he said.
