Private group justifies request for public funds

A non-government group has expressed belief that it can qualify for public funds appropriation since its program directly benefits local residents.

In a Sept. 1 letter to Rep. Ray Tebuteb, Connecting Families Inc. chair Laura J. Tenorio-Fejeran admitted that there was a concern about asking for public funds “due to the fact that we are not a public entity.”

“However, public funds are currently allocated for non-profit organizations such as Karidat and Ayuda Network. Therefore, I believe on that basis, a case can be made for our organization,” said Tenorio-Fejeran.

Connecting Families Inc. is a private group whose goal is to develop Child Visitation Center, which the Family Court had initially wanted to set up 1999. CVC was also identified as long-term priority project by the CNMI Violence Task Force in 2000 and 2001.

Tenorio-Fejeran said the CVC would “promote healing within families affected by domestic violence.”

Connecting Families was chartered in 2003 and achieved its non-profit status and full board membership in 2004.

CFI is reportedly expecting to get a grant through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for a full-time executive director.

Tenorio-Fejeran said that, since the group is in its infancy, it has many needs on a shoestring budget.

CFI has been assigned two government buildings, 1262 and 1263, which need renovation work. It has no paid staff nor equipment.

To be fully operational, CFI needs to hire at least two staff members, the chairperson said.

She said the organization has raised funds to renovate the first building but it is in need of funds for the second building.

CFI’s funding request is embodied in House Bill 14-374, which Tebuteb introduced last week. The bill aims to appropriate $49,000 from the Saipan Trust Fund to assist the group.

In her letter, Tenorio-Fejeran said she is aware that the trust fund is to be used to directly benefit the indigenous population.

“Initially, all clients we serve will be referred through court order. The vast majority of cases involve people of indigenous ethnicity,” she said.

Moreover, she said that the program will later open up to serve Child Protective Services, which will also serve the local population.

“Therefore, the program will directly impact our indigenous people,” she said.