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‘Karidat is for emergency purposes only’
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Posted on Jun 18 2008
With its increasing number of clients and an annual budget of just $890,386, the assistance provided by Karidat Social Services is very limited and is mainly for emergencies only, according to Karidat executive director Angie V. Leon Guerrero.
“We still have a number of people coming in seeking assistance in our family services program even though what we provide out of the program is for emergency purposes only,” Guerrero said.
She said that it’s already enough that the family services program does not have much funding, but for individuals who blow off their food stamp benefits or neglect to renew their food stamps for the next month and then constantly seek assistance from the program is not fair for those who really need them.
“I understand that we’re in an economic situation and the price of commodities are going up, but we’re also here to assist people on how to budget their food stamps so they can make them last until they receive them again,” Guerrero said.
The family services program comprises the shelter program and provision of clothing and food, mostly donated by members of the community.
Guerrero said she finds it difficult to say “no” to those who have children but who have become dependent on the program.
“When there are children involved, we try to accommodate them as much as we can,” Guerrero said.
She added that people need to take responsibility as it will only benefit themselves.
The Saipan Tribune reported earlier that the Karidat Social Services clientele for calendar year 2007 has been the highest ever in 10 years.
In 2007, the non-profit organization provided services to 4,515 clients, and 1,746 of those availed of the family services program.
