ITHACA,N.Y.(WENY)-- Women’s Opportunity Center has laid off all of their employees due to a financial emergency. 

Normally the non-profit organization receives the Homemaker Program grant from the New York State Department of Labor, which accounts for 40 percent of the organization's income. This grant makes it possible for WOC to serve both Ithaca and Syracuse. 

Ryan Harriott, Executive Director of the Tompkins County WOC, said the pandemic has been leading to an increase in unemployment and homelessness and that without WOC this would only get worse. 

“This is the absolute worst time for NYS to be reneging on its commitment to us, we are working with clients non-stop who, due to unemployment, are facing homelessness and fighting to feed their families,” said Harriott. 

Harriott said that if the organization has to close its doors it will not only be devastating for WOC but it will also affect the community members that are in need of support during this unprecedented time. 

“Our organization, but more importantly our clients, are in desperate need of community support while we wait on our state government to fulfill its debt,” said Harriott. 

Despite the mass layoff the organization is still providing its employability services to clients through the two managers that have remained on staff and the large number of volunteers that the nonprofit has on board. 

The WOC is accepting donations online at http://www.womensopportunity.org/ or by mail to 315 N. Tioga St. Ithaca, NY 14850.