Foster center closed, paychecks bounced

ALLEGAN, Mich. (WOOD) - Caretakers at an Allegan County adult foster center agency are worried after their home was shut down and their paychecks bounced.
 
Alonzo Langford is a caretaker in a home for people with developmental disabilities. He takes his job to heart, but he can't afford to work for free.
 
Langford said the bank wouldn't cash his last paycheck.
 
"I took it to the bank and it was denied, declined," he told Target 8.
 
He said the bank cited insufficient funds when he tried to cash his check.
 
Langford isn't the only caretaker whose paycheck hasn't been redeemed.
 
"'This is also my second or third one to bounce. The other two that bounced, the money was put in but it was put in late," said Cassandra Fletcher.
 
The caretakers worked for Best Way Providers, a non-profit agency in Allegan that helps people with special needs.
 
Less than two weeks ago, supervisor Andrea Mahone received a letter from Best Way Providers Acting Chair Rillastine Wilkins, saying Allegan County shut down two of the homes, leaving the caretakers out of work.
 
"We're like, what's going to happen next payday? We've filled out time cards. Time cards go in, so we're due to get paid next week," said Mahone.
 
Wilkins wouldn't speak to Target 8 in person and wouldn't get into details about why the County shut the homes down, but did say the agency lost a major client last March and started having money troubles.
 
"I think the way they did us is just really terrible and you should do nobody like that," said Mahone.
 
"How's the next cheeseburger coming on the table?" asked Langford. "The next bill going to get paid? Or how am I going to survive for my family?"
 
Wilkins said she cares for the employees, knows they're dedicated and hard-working, and is doing everything she can to help. She said she's confident they'll get their money.

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