LANCASTER, Ohio -- As the economy axe swings back and forth, it's come down once again -- this time in Fairfield County.
It will soon be the end of an era for the Our Place day shelter and the end for Fairfield County Mental Health Consumer Group, NBC 4's Marcus Thorpe reported.
"We have a tremendous amount of people in our area and in Central Ohio that are struggling," said Executive Director of Fairfield County ADAMH Orman Hall. "We are taking some hits in the fiscal year we are currently in."
For ten years, Sharon Mongold has either worked or volunteered at the day shelter.
"It's getting emotional because it's getting close," she said. "It's like, what is going to happen? Where is everyone going to go?"
In Fairfield County, the agency is looking at another year of cuts. Instead of being across-the-board changes, they will be more specific.
"We are apprehensive that if we make additional proportional cuts, we could compromise our ability to provide safe reliable services," Hall said.
Now it will be up to agencies to find customers so they don't fall through the cracks.
"One of the things I am most proud of is the degree of cooperation and integration here in human services in Fairfield County," Hall said.
For the final time on Tuesday, Mongold packed Easter baskets and wondered if the shelter's visitors will now be turned back on the streets and under bridges -- hoping they remember the shelter.
"It was a good place where people helped people who needed help," Mongold said.
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