Holy Cross Ministries is staring down as much as $100,000 in federal funding losses, and CEO Emmie Gardner says the cuts are already hitting staffing and programs that serve Park City's underserved community and local workforce.

Gardner told KPCW on Tuesday, Aug. 25, that the nonprofit has lost between $80,000 and $100,000 in federal grants. The losses extend beyond federal dollars: local and family foundations that once filled gaps are now trimming their own awards by $25,000 to $50,000 per grantee as they stretch shrinking pools further.

"We continue to have an amazing grant writer, but she is on track nonstop … and we're tracking the decrease in funding, even from continued funders that we have," Gardner said. "They're very gracious, but they're like, we can't give you what we gave you last year. We're going to have to cut it by $25, $50,000."

The organization, founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross more than 30 years ago, runs health outreach through eight bilingual Promotoras in low-income clinics across Northern Utah and operates Summit County's only Parents as Teachers early-childhood program for children up to age 4. No one is turned away for inability to pay.

Gardner hopes the nonprofit's annual Autumn Harvest Benefit on Thursday, Oct. 8, can offset some of the shortfall. The fundraiser runs 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish Hall in Park City.

Five 'Holy Cross Heroes' to be honored

Andy Cier of Holy Cross Ministries said this year's benefit theme is "Holy Cross Heroes," recognizing five community members whose work mirrors the Sisters' founding mission.

The honorees:

  • Anna Williams — a Park City School District educator who launched Latinos in Action in local schools, with more than 20 years in public and private education.
  • Father Bob Bussen — longtime pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church and a leader in Park City's Latino community.
  • Dr. Kristen Reese and Maggie Snyder — honored for providing the only medical care available to AIDS patients in the Park City area during the late 1980s and 1990s.
  • Sister Laura Santos — clinical director at Jackie's Recovery Support Services, formerly known as Latino Behavioral Health.

"We felt like there's just several people in the community that have just done so much, and they've kind of … exemplify the spirit of the sisters in terms of compassion," Cier told KPCW. "The short mission of the sisters is, see what needs doing and do it."

Tickets and details

Early-bird tickets are on sale through the end of August at hcmutah.org/holycrossheroes. The benefit takes place Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish Hall.

Upcoming

  • Thursday, Oct. 8 — Holy Cross Ministries Autumn Harvest Benefit, 6–9 p.m., St. Mary's Parish Hall, Park City. Tickets: hcmutah.org/holycrossheroes.