Medford Family Network hit hard by governor’s cuts

Medford GOP Blog Editor's Note:Is it me, or is the Governor just cutting us where it will hurt to make voters fear voting yes on Question 1? Why is the Governor creating longer lines at the Registry, cutting funding for care for mentally handicapped adults, and by hitting Family groups like MFN? Why have we not heard of single Deval Patrick staffer being laid off, his switching to more affordable personal transportation, or his relinquishing his own salary, a move that many current Deval supporters mocked at the time when Governor Mitt Romney did just that? How many jobs could be saved at organizations like MFN if Deval would cut the fat in State government, in his own posh offices - including the one in Washington D.C. - and by donating some of his salary or stipends from book deals made while our Governor?

Medford Family Network hit hard by governor’s cuts
By Rob Barry/rbarry@cnc.com

News of Gov. Deval Patrick’s Section 9C budget cuts sent a shockwave through many of the state’s social services last week, including the Medford Family Network (MFN), which offers free family support and parenting education to the community.

“We just received notification that we need to cut our budget by 20 percent and there is not one ounce of fat in our budget,” said Marie Cassidy, the program’s coordinator. “This will result in my inability to hire staff that I needed to hire and it cuts into childcare for families attending classes.”

Around 1,700 families a year use the programs offered by MFN, but Cassidy said the number of families who could potentially benefit from the service is more on the order of 5,500. Particularly now that the U.S. appears to be in the midst of a large economic downturn, Cassidy said organizations like the MFN are very important to have in a community.

“There will be an increase in child abuse, which is why we need to be there,” Cassidy said. “Domestic violence had a huge blip last month statewide, though it wasn’t too bad in Medford.”

The MFN is one of 42 state-funded family networks in the commonwealth. Established in fiscal 1994, the MFN was the first in Massachusetts and one of only six to receive a Children’s Trust Fund grant, which allows the organization to provide services to families of children up to age 7, as opposed to 3.

Kristy Bonaventura, president of Friends of the MFN (FMFN), said the organization helped her a great deal when she adopted her son.

“I was pretty frantic at first,” said Bonaventura. “A friend said, ‘Call Marie.’ I’ve made more friends in this community than I ever would have made. Now when I bring my son to the parks, I always know at least one of the other families there.”

Now, as president of the FMFN, Bonaventura is trying to do some fundraising. Her organization has put together a 75-minute comedy fundraiser at the Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus. Set for Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m., tickets are on sale for $20 at medfordfamilies.org.

“Everybody is putting their money in their mattresses right now so a lot of people probably are hesitant to spend for a night out,” said Bonaventura. “But this one is going to be a great time.”

In the past, the FMFN has done all its fundraising through similar such charitable events. But Bonaventura said it may be time to look at other options.

“One of our goals this year is to start building relationships with local business,” she said. “We’re also looking into grant writing.”

At present things are uncertain.
Cassidy said there is no bottom line of what parts of her $132,000 budget will be cut. She was confident that the MFN would pull through the tough times though.

“We are going to involve the enthusiasm and support of our families,” said Cassidy. “We are not going to compromise our quality.”