Safe Harbor Could Close at End of September

Easton's Safe Harbor homeless shelter will try to fight on despite word from the organization that oversees it that it's doors will have to close.

Last month, that federal budget cuts could force the shelter to shut its doors after 20 years in service.

It became official last week, said Ginni Truglio, Safe Harbor's development coordinator: the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley plans to close down the shelter on September 30.

"We are still reeling from this unexpected and horrible news," Truglio said in an e-mail.

Interviewed later, however, she said Safe Harbor wants to fight on and "try to make it on our own."

Truglio said Safe Harbor would look at whether it could establish itself as a 501c3 non-profit group. It would also consider asking the city of Easton -- which leases its Bushkill Street property for a dollar a year -- for help on its annual $18,000 utility bill. Truglio said she'd consider working without a salary.

In the past, Safe Harbor representatives have said they would need $200,000 a year to keep open.

Alan Jennings, the executive director of CACLV, said the decision hasn't been made final, but will go before the group's board later this week. He said it's become harder and harder to find funding for things like Safe Harbor.

"This country does not take care of its poor," he said.

Jennings was angry and frustrated over the way things have turned out.

"I created that place," he said. "To me, it's a personal defeat."