CT Red Cross branches merging

The Connecticut region of the American Red Cross is consolidating seven of its 10 branches into a single region chapter that includes the Charter Oak headquarters office in Farmington and stretches to Stamford, according to a published report.

The Meriden Record-Journal reports today on its Web site that the money-saving step will reduce back-office expenses and consolidate payroll.

The move comes as other nonprofits throughout the Hartford region and the state push to merge or share back-office operations in the face of dwindling donations and state and federal revenue.

At least 24 layoffs have taken place at Red Cross branches in Connecticut during the last six months, while 3,000 were let go from the national headquarters last year, the paper reported. At this time, the region isn't anticipating any further office closings, said Diane Augur, CEO of the Connecticut region; however, that could change at any time.

In May, members of the local branch's advisory board learned that the office would close at the end of August and that all non-core services would be discontinued. Two senior staff members were laid off in June.

The actions have drawn criticism from some, including longtime volunteers and donors who invested time and money into the office and its community services that will no longer exist.

The Red Cross will still offer its core services of disaster relief assistance, emergency communications for armed forces members and their families, blood collection and health and safety training in the local area. International social services is also part of its core.

The South Central Connecticut Chapter of 15 communities based in New Haven merged with the local branch 28 years ago and is facing a budget deficit, said Charles Frey, its CEO.