Local women’s shelter in crisis due to Trump’s funding cuts

Families in Transition may suspend services without community support

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

It was only a matter of tine before the cuts in federal funding would begin to affect Crittenden County residents as newly-sworn in President Trump’s cuts strike at the very heart of one of the most important programs to help victims of domestic violence in Crittenden County and Eastern Arkansas.

The recent federal funding cuts to victim services are hitting home putting the future of Families in Transition (FIT), a lifeline for domestic violence survivors, at risk. The organization, which has provided shelter, safety, and assistance for victims and their children since 1993, is now facing an uncertain future due to a drastic 67 percent reduction in funding of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).

Cassie Hoskins, FIT’s director, has been vocal about the crisis, explaining that VOCA funds, which are generated from fines paid by violent criminals, have been steadily dwindling. “Two years ago, there was $30 million allocated for the entire state. Last year,, it dropped to $20 million. Now, we’re looking at less than $7 million,” Hoskins said. FIT currently receives about $300,000 in VOCA funding, but this year, that amount may disappear entirely. “We may have to phase out the shelter or other critical aspects of our services, possibly only offering outreach,” she added.

FIT operates 24/7, 365 days a year, offering emergency shelter, crisis intervention,

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A grisly reminder: 104 pairs of shoes are displayed at a FIT event representing just the underage victims of abuse and domestic violence in 2023 alone.

Photos by FIT

Director Cassie Hoskins (right) and Assistant Director of FIT, Jeannette Gilliam (middle), have worked together for over 20 years serving those in need. Now, they are the ones asking for help from the community SHELTER

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transitional housing, legal advocacyand support services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human traf_cking, elder abuse and homicide. In 2024 alone, the organization served 982 clients, provided 16,845 services, and responded to 569 crisis hotline calls from primary victims, in addition to 730 additional calls from non-victims seeking assistance. Their shelter housed survivors for a total of 4,457 nights, with an average stay of 27 nights. However, due to lack of fnding, they had to turn away 375 shelter requests; a number that could terrifyingly skyrocket if FIT is forced to shut its doors.

According to state data, Arkansas ranks 10th in the nation for domestic violence rates, with 40.8 percent of women and 34.8 percent of men experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. In 2022, over 3,000 sexual assaults were reported in the state, and the cost of treating just one sexual assault victim is estimated at $13,892. Survivors of aggravated assault face an even higher _nancial burden, with medical expenses and lost productivity averaging $49,491 per victim. The Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Human Traf_cking estimates that interpersonal violence costs the state at least $1.6 billion aannually,, making continued support for crisis shelters not only a moral necessity but also a _nancial one.

FIT is one of 32 domestic violence programs across Arkansas that are struggling to stay aoat. “$600,000 split between all of us doesn’t go far,” Hoskins said. “Programs are already shutting down, and we’re hoping the governor will pass the stopgap bill to keep us running.”

That bill,a $19 million stopgap fund, was initially promised by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as a way to prevent programs from closing due to the dramatic VOCA funding decrease. However, it has since stalled. The Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Human Traf_cking has launched an open letter urging the governor to follow through on her commitment. The letter, written by Monie Ballard, highlights the long-term consequences of defunding victim services. “‘Victims will have to live with the impact of these crimes for the rest of their lives,” Ballard wrote. “The idea of not funding victim services is to ignore their need for safety, healing, and recovery.”

Hoskins and her team are now in a desperate _ght to keep FIT operational. “When they froze the funds and shut down the portals, we didn’t even know if we’d be able to pay rent for people in our safe houses,” she said.. “We were terri_ed people would be evicted and become homeless. This funding isn’t tax revenue, it comes from _nes and fees of violent offenders. It should be there for victims.”

Representatives Jessie Mc-Gruder and Lincoln Barnett have voiced their support for keeping FIT and other victim service programs running, but as state leaders debate funding solutions, the shelter is in crisis mode. “We’re doing everything we can to raise funds outside of our grants,” Hoskins said. “We need to make sure we’re still here six months from now.”

The organization is calling on the community for supportand is actively seeking donations to help bridge the gap while awaiting potential state intervention. “When they froze the funds and shut the portals down, we didn’t even know if we were going to be able to pay rent for people in our shelters,” Hoskins said. “We didn’t know if they would be evicted and homeless. Everything we do is free of charge to those we helpg. There are no other programs in the county that do what we do.”

Hoskins, along with other advocates, hopes that a longterm solution can be found, similar to legislation in Maryland, where the state offsets federal shortages to ensure continuous funding for victim services. “We look forward to the day we’re not needed,” she said. “But until then, we have to _ght to keep these services available.” In the meantime, FIT remains in crisis mode, accepting donations to sustain their shelter and services. Donations can be made by mail to FIT, P.O. Box 15, West Memphis, AR 72303, or through their Facebook page (facebook. com/_twm).

“This is our community. We love it. We raise our kids here. That’s why we go all in and work so hard,” Hoskins said. “We look forward to the day we’re not needed anymore, but until then, we have to _ght.”