After being without funding since August, Mickey Finch said a classic line from the movie "Jerry Maguire" best sums up her feelings.

"Show me the money," said Finch, CEO of Fellowship House in Anna, referencing news Gov. Rod Blagojevich would restore funding to human services agencies.

Blagojevich announced Tuesday that $175.9 million in funding would be restored to agencies throughout the state suffering budget cuts. In August, local agencies learned they would lose $55 million in funding.

Finch said that while restored funding is great news, she will hold the celebrations until she has a check in her hands. Since the initial cuts, Fellowship House has had to lay off 10 employees, administer a 5 percent pay cut and reduce benefits.

"At this point, we just want to be paid for the work we've done," Finch said. "In the 30 years I've been around, it's never been this bad."

If the Fellowship House does not receive funding by January, the facility may have to close, she said.

John Markley, administrator/CEO of Franklin-Williamson Human Services, said he was elated to hear Blagojevich's announcement and commends the governor for realizing the importance of the funding.

"Obviously we're very, very pleased with the governor's actions," Markley said.

Williamson County Programs on Aging Executive Director Bob Childers said he learned Friday that the agency had received a check in the amount of $136,000 from the state with the help of state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion.

"Hopefully, that will carry us through the next couple of months until we get the rest of our payments from the state," Childers said. "The most important thing is that the money allows us to continue to provide services for our seniors like adult daycare and meals on wheels."

Late last week, Childers had to drop the agency's home health care program and its staff of eight nurses.

Despite the trepidation they still feel, Markley said the announcement is still a big step in the right direction.

"It's not only a victory for people with addiction but for people in the community serving them."

- John Homan contributed to this story.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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