Orange County Needs Continue to Grow Amid Sustained Economic Crisis

The sustained economic crisis and state budget cuts continue to send shockwaves throughout our nation, the state and our local community.

More than 18 months into the economic crisis, record unemployment continues. Between December 2008 and December 2009, Orange County lost 48,900 jobs. Despite reports of layoffs tapering off, Orange County’s unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in December 2009.

Local residents are struggling to make ends meet. Many have lost their homes or the ability to pay for rent and food for their children. Second Harvest Food Bank estimates that 615,000 people or 21 percent of the population in Orange County are at risk of hunger.

Families who have lost health insurance are in desperate need of medical care for themselves and their children. The proposed state budget may eliminate the Healthy Families Program, which would cause 98,000 Orange County children to lose health care coverage.

The local safety net of providers that deliver critical aid to our most vulnerable populations is being stretched to the breaking point. A recent survey conducted by the Orange County Funders’ Roundtable evaluated the impact of the economic downturn on local nonprofits. More than 100 local nonprofits responded. Startling findings show:

• With 66.7 percent reporting greater demand for services, 2009 was as bad or worse than nonprofit leaders expected.
• 47 percent of nonprofits were forced to reduce staff as of December 2009 -- significantly higher than the 21 percent that projected cutbacks last year.
• 50 percent saw fewer donations and 51 percent lost grants or funding.

ReachOut OC is just one way that the Community Foundation’s generous donors and friends can respond. Our goal is to deliver at least $500,000 into our community now, when it is needed most.