The spirit of unity and service is palpable these days. Reflecting on Tuesday’s historic inauguration, and the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s contributions to the fight for equality, we are inspired by the overwhelming sense of civic duty and social responsibility.

It is no secret: these are tremendously difficult economic times, and among the organizations struggling to make more work with less is The San Diego LGBT Community Center.

This week, we received a news tip regarding the city’s Community Development Block Grant Program and The Center’s application for these funds.

Each year, the city’s CDBG program funnels about $15 million in federal funds to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and improve community facilities and services that benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

Last year, more than $145,000 in CDBG money was awarded to The Center; $125,000 of the larger sum was specifically allotted to building improvements for the Sunburst Youth Housing Project.

As a result of an unfortunate and uncharacteristic data entry error, Dr. Delores Jacobs, The Center’s chief executive officer, informed us Tuesday that The Center missed the application deadline for the 2009-2010 grants.

There is no telling how costly an error this is, but it’s safe to say – regardless the dollar amount – The Center cannot afford to lose this source of funding.

You may be bracing yourself for a verbal lashing of The Center’s leadership. We’ve certainly not been afraid of administering them in the past.

Now, however, is not the time.

Under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, The Center’s staff – including Jacobs – has demonstrated grace and grit, and The Center has continued its commitment to serving our community.

The deadline for the CDBG application passed in December as our Center faced difficult decisions – layoffs, pay cuts and mandatory furloughed time for its employees.

Leadership and staff have been asked to do more for less – which isn’t unique to social service organizations and businesses nationwide.

Of course, that’s no excuse, Jacobs says – but certainly, with fewer people executing an increased workload, the likelihood of a mistake being made increases.

Ultimately, Jacobs says, she is accountable for the oversight.

Her forthright, no-nonsense explanation of the error and her willingness to accept responsibility demonstrate the qualities we value in our leaders.

The bottom line: The Center, Jacobs says, has created new policies to oversee its master calendar and ensure deadlines are not missed in the future.

Fortunately, The Center does not rely on the CDBG program to function; however, the funding is critical to The Center’s mission. And, as is illustrated by the $125,000 allocated to The Center’s Youth Housing Project this year, the CDBG funds can benefit one of our community’s most precious resources: our youth.

Rather than point fingers or lay blame, we will use this missed opportunity as a call to action; in the spirit of civic duty and social responsibility and in the spirit of hope so prevalent in the wake of the Nov. 4 election and Tuesday’s historic inauguration of President Barack Oabama, let’s rally to support The Center. After all, it is our community center, and our community members – seniors, youth, families, people living with HIV/AIDS – who benefit from its services.

We have a vested interest in The Center, and it is as much our responsibility to see it succeed and flourish as it is Jacobs’ and her staff’s.

If each of the 20,000 people in San Diego who marched for equal marriage rights gave $10 to The Center – $2.50 each week for one month – we’d raise $200,000, all of which would be put right back into our community.

Without question a mistake was made; a mistake that cannot – and we’re confident will not – be made again. But we have faith The Center’s staff remains committed to providing essential services that improve the quality of life for members of our community.

Likewise, we have to maintain a commitment to The Center; to support it in difficult times – even when an error or oversight is made.