LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – An organization created by the Robeson County Emergency Operations Center to help people recover after Hurricane Matthew may experience a major setback.
Casssandra Campbell the Executive Director of Robeson County Disaster Recovery Committee (RCDRC) says a change with the fiscal agent has now put the Hurricane Matthew recovery effort in jeopardy.
“We’re at risk of losing funding that we received for Hurricane Matthew survivors,” said Campbell.
The United Way of Robeson County agreed to be the RCDRC fiscal agent (or sponsor) until the RCDRC moved to become a nonprofit group of its own.
As the fiscal agent, the United Way would assist by accepting grant funds for the RCDRC.
Last Friday, the United Way decided to part ways with the RCDRC.
“That will potentially end up affecting or us having to send back a lot of money that has been given to us for the recovery,” said Campbell.
Campbell says more than $ 100, 000 in grant funds from several different agencies may be in danger. Campbell says the group has lost three case managers last week after the split, now they have just one until the end of March.
“Because of that, it disconnected us from the clients from the recovery. In which we have over a 100 cases now,” she said. “Somebody has to be accountable. We’re working diligently to resolve it but we’re going to need all parties coming together to make sure we are answering and we’re delivering to this community the way that we promised to deliver to them.”
Letricua Freeman, the United Way Director says the RCDC board failed to meet 3 or 4 deadlines to become its own charity.
“We have to honor deadlines and hold people accountable to the residents of our county and other people are looking at us to be good stewards,” said Freeman.
Freeman says, the RCDR board did not begin the nonprofit application with the IRS until last November but the first extension was given in August.
“There were concerns. When we would ask about the paperwork they couldn’t provide. They would just tell us they had applied for it but they couldn’t tell us it would be granted in this amount of time or anything to show they were actively working on that,” said Freeman.
Freeman says the United Way will continue to support the organization.
“We’ve only had good intentions for them. This was not a quick, carefree, or thoughtless decision made by United Way of Robeson County Board. As you can see with the number of extensions granted to them,” says Freeman. “We will continue to work with them through this separation process. And be supportive however we can, as far as making sure any financial matters are handled between our two boards.”
Campbell says now it’s on the RCDC board to either find another fiscal agent or become a nonprofit quickly.
“My heart is broken because it didn’t have to happen,” said Campbell. “We are serving one of the highest poverty areas. These individuals need our help. We’ve committed ourselves to helping them in this recovery. We knew it was a long-term effort. We know we have challenges but we need to work together.”
James Martin, the RCDRC Board Treasurer says it expects to become a nonprofit organization soon.
Martin says there is no set date or timeline at this time, but the group has received feedback from the IRS.
At this time the group is not looking for another fiscal agent or sponsor.
Tuesday, the RCDRC board discussed buying out Campbell’s contract during a special meeting. Campbell’s contract was originally paid for with a $50,000 grant.
Martin says no action was taken.
