Local domestic-violence provider Mayday says federal funding cut will sharply reduce services

Millie Joseph, executive director of the domestic-violence nonprofit Mayday, told the Baker County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 6 that state contract language tied to Oregon’s sanctuary-state policies has put her organization at risk of losing most federal funding.
Joseph said the nonprofit recently learned a change in contract wording at the state level created a conflict that caused what she described as a near-total loss of federal funding for Mayday. She said some 2024 funds may be distributed later, but it is unclear how much — “possibly up to 20%,” she told commissioners.
In explaining local impacts, Joseph said Mayday will continue to operate its shelter, which the organization owns and has paid for, but that it will no longer be able to provide many of the emergency financial supports it previously funded with federal grants, including first-and-last month rent, utility assistance and moving expenses. She said those services relied on a combination of federal and state grants and a private Boca grant that are now threatened.
Joseph asked the board to schedule a work session so county leaders could help coordinate outreach to Oregon’s federal delegation and state grant monitors. She said Mayday staff and the state grant monitors are pursuing litigation or other remedies in Salem but that the timeline and outcome are uncertain.
Commissioners and staff suggested arranging a meeting with state and federal lawmakers and accepted Joseph’s request to leave contact information for staff follow-up. No formal county funding decision was made at the meeting.
If the grant reductions are not reversed, Joseph warned, Mayday will scale services back to core shelter operations and seek alternative local funding and charitable donations to try to maintain some client assistance programs.
Ending: Joseph said Mayday will continue basic shelter operations and search for replacement grants; she asked commissioners to help arrange outreach to federal and state officials. The board directed staff to follow up to schedule the requested work session and to record the request in minutes for further action.