Days after Governor Tom Corbett put a freeze on $160 million in state spending, local community groups are speaking out. 

About a half dozen groups were at a Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley event in Allentown Tuesday, and their bottom line was the same.

"Pennsylvanians need to know that such cuts have real consequences," said Alan Jennings, the group's executive director.

Consequences could include reduced services, less staff and canceling social services and assistance programs completely. 

Local groups said the cuts get deeper each year, and this latest freeze means programs have to turn even more people away.

Delia Marrero works at New Choices in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co.  It's a career decision-making program that helps single parents and displaced homemakers get back into the work force.

"It's hard when you have to say, 'I can't help you because we just don't have the funding to help you,'" she said.  "And these are people who are motivated and are trying to get ahead."

Just a few years ago, the single mother of two went to New Choices for help.

"I had no work experience. I didn't know how to write a resume, conduct a job search, I didn't even know what that was," Marrero said.

Funding for New Choices was cut by 60 percent this year, allowing the program to serve only about 50 people.  Marrero called it significant. Last year, the group was able to help 257.  The recent budget freeze will take off another 10 percent of available money.

"Which means there are less people we are able to help get through school or just get back into the work place," she said.

Gov. Corbett said if revenue collections improve in the coming months, some of the cuts may be restored.  In the meantime, Marrero urges everyone to contact their state legislators.