Source: Lincoln Journal Star

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2005/12/01/local/doc438e2bcbd3680873724401.txt

On December 1, 2005 the Lincoln Journal Star reported, "Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast, but they also dealt a heavy blow to the Lincoln Interfaith Council. The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement failed to renew an annual grant of about $100,000 to support Faces of the Middle East and the African Community Center, two programs serving immigrants that accounted for more than half of the council’s 2005 budget. The explanation from federal officials? Hurricane relief 'soaked up most of the funds,' said Bill Caldwell, the council’s executive director. The loss of federal grants, coupled with a drop in support from local churches and other religious congregations, has created a budget crisis for the agency that promotes cooperation and dialogue among Lincoln’s faith communities... The African Community Center’s office at the F Street Recreation Center has been closed... The satellite office of Faces of the Middle East at the Good Neighbor Community Center, 2617 Y St., was closed. Both centers will continue limited operations out of the council’s building."