MATC student "questions" MOM Director

Sarah Iliff, a resident of Middleton and student at MATC, for her speech class, was required to pose certain questions of a research subject, then give a 5-minute oral presentation about her subject matter. She chose to “question” Dietrich Gruen about Middleton Outreach Ministry. Here interview reads like “Cliff notes” describing who MOM serves, how they are supported, and why organizations like MOM exist in the first place.

Q: Is there a typical client at M.O.M? If not, what backgrounds and situations do clients come from?
Our client demographics might surprise you. A recent survey revealed that 37% of MOM clients are Caucasian, while 63% are ethnic minorities, including African-American (44%), Hispanic (12%), and others—including 70 families who are Russian immigrants! Nineteen percent of MOM clients are single adults living alone; 34% are single moms with kids; 73% of MOM clients, including children, are under the age of 34. Twenty-six percent report no income; 45% are employed, but at wages that do not sustain; 24% cannot work and thus receive Social Security. Another surprise to many is this: 64% of MOM clients receiving our financial services live outside Middleton-Cross Plains, but within our Madison service area.

Q: How is M.O.M. funded?
MOM’s funding is 99% from private sources, that is, virtually no government funds. Contributions from churches (13%), businesses (9%), individuals (50%) donors c/o United Way (11%), and from grants and local subsidies (9%). Other groups, events, and product sales (such as Entertainment Books, Bucky Books, and silent auction items—available Dec 2-3 at The Jefferson!), make up the remaining 7%.

Q: Is there a shortage on funds? If not has there ever been a shortage?
Yes, always at this time of year. Of our $468,000 budget for 2006, about 40% of that income comes in during the very last month. Or at least we hope so. Would that we had a more steady income stream year-round, as that would help our cashflow. Which is where faith comes in! For 11 months of the year, income lags expenses. We hope and pray for a very strong, better-than-ever-before, year-end finish!

Q: On a scale from 1-10 (one being the lowest and ten the highest), how much shame to clients feel about receiving assistance? (If you know.)
This is hard to gauge. We have many elderly clients whose only need mobility. No shame there. Some social stigma may be attached to being identified as a MOM client in need of our financial aid or free commodities. Hence, we do all we can to guard their privacy and confidentiality. Others take great pride in being affiliated with us, refer their friends to us, and freely allow us to tell their story.

We treat people with dignity and reassure all who need our services of this: There is no shame in a temporary and sudden loss of income, nor with an unexpected expense, such as medical bills or auto repair. Yet, by nature, most people like to be self-sufficient and not have to ask for help.

In terms of how they deal with crisis, there are two types of clients at MOM. One type is, for the most part, emotionally and spiritually healthy, able to identify and express their feelings, wants or needs, and function at a high capacity, but suffers from a temporary setback. These clients are is experiencing a crisis in their life and just needs someone to come alongside and/or offer temporary financial assistance to see them through.

Other clients, perhaps with bad role models growing up, are dysfunctional, making poor choices and having poor or porous boundaries. Yet these people do have important self-care skills: they are good at garage-saling, at doing without a checking account, at moving on half-day’s notice, at securing pro bono medical services, at getting around without a car, at getting the most out of MOM’s Food Pantry & Clothing Closet. Who of us can do that?

We at MOM serve both clients types with equal amounts of love.

Q: Does the state government watch your organization closely to make sure you are following all the protocol?
Not really, mostly because the state doesn’t fund us. But we do file all the state-required audits, 990s, IRS returns, etc., plus we post all the worker’s rights, employment law, and ADA-requirements. We uphold the values of diversity and equity through our membership in United Way. We are in full compliance with everything that that umbrella agency does on behalf of the public trust. Public trust is hard to earn, and Middleton Outreach Ministry has earned it over the past 26 years.

Q: Finally, describe briefly why you think there is a need for places like M.O.M. in every community?
Organizations like MOM, which are faith-based and community-based, will exist in every community because the government is cutting back on their welfare programs,… because this economy is not working for the underclass,… because there are individuals who enjoy giving back to the community,… because there are people with time and talent who want to be challenged and channeled in their giving. And, because of synergies and efficiencies, a nonprofit like ours can better redistribute the wealth and screen for needs, being a good steward of the community assets.

You will find more on our website, www.mompop.org, including current service opportunities.

© 2005 Middleton Outreach Ministry

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