Need to vent about issue at women's shelter I work at!

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#1 Feb 1 - 4PM
Gravity
Gravity's picture

Need to vent about issue at women's shelter I work at!

Just needed to vent:

Okay so I work at a domestic violence shelter and recently one of the advocates at the shelter was fired due to the fact that all of the residents came forward and said that she was actually behaving in an abusive manner. I can't give specific examples as I don't want anyone to see this, but basically she was crazy making them and playing games with them and leaving them stranded at places in the rain when she promised them she would pick them up and making them find their own way home. This was the perfect position for her because she knew that no one would believe the residents because they would chalk it up to the fact that they were experiencing PTSD etc.

Since then, I sat down with the residents and they were SOBBING crying to me saying that the remainder of much of the other staff was not being respectful and getting in their faces and making them feel bad. In one circumstance an advocate made a mistake and forgot to tell a resident vital information regarding housing and in front of her boss claimed that she had told the resident and the resident forgot. This was triggering for the resident who had an ex husband who crazy made her etc. She was hysterically crying saying she was contemplating going back to her abuser who has been relentlessly trying to make her move back in with him. She said that she would rather live with one person that was treating her poorly and have a roof over her head instead of all these staff members berating her while being homeless.

I talked to her for well over an hour and I printed out this sign that said "YOU ARE STRONG. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU ARE A GOOD MOTHER. YOU KNOW THE TRUTH." and a poster that said "NEVER SETTLE FOR A MAN THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE PROUD TO HAVE A SON EXACTLY LIKE HIM" and I hung them on her door so she would remember. She was so happy :)

So THIS is what made me very upset today. I brought in well over 8 bags of clothing for the residents because many of them are fleeing abusive situations in the middle of the night and don't have time to grab clothes. The residents said that they have not seen the bags and they are no where to be found. They believe one of the advocates took them home!! I was shocked by this and believed this couldn't be true until I called and spoke with this advocate today and she told me she "put the clothes in the basement." I checked in the basement last time I was there and the clothes WERE NOT THERE. I told her this and she responded by saying "I don't know then."

OH.MY.GOD! I seriously was in tears. Here these women are, trying to get out of an abusive situation.. they have been SO strong and these people are putting them down.

I had to vent to you guys cuz I knew you'd understand. It's disgusting what type of people are out there!

Feb 1 - 4PM
GeorgiaGirl
GeorgiaGirl's picture

It happened to me

Much of what you describe (in general, not exact details) happened to me and other women who were in the shelter at the same time I was. I was apalled at the condition of the home we were put in to and spent our entire first weekend there cleaning it top to bottom. Within 1 1/2 weeks my daughter and I were covered in bed-bug bites while the staff denied that any such problem existed prior to my moving in. When the exterminator came in and found a COLONY of bed-bugs he told the staff in no uncertain terms that there was no way they had come in with me. A long-time resident there later told me that others who had stayed in that room had been bitten as well and disregarded when they reported it. I was told that I would not need to provide any food, toiletries, etc for myself as the staff took care of those needs so we could save our money for an apartment/attorney/etc. By the begininng of our 3rd week in there I had spent over $100 of my own money...and often other residents ate things I had bought for my kids & I. I also was apalled that the bedding, towels, washrags, etc were like rags. The day I moved out I was taken to a storeroom to pick out a few things for my new apartment. This room (20x30 at least) was STUFFED from floor to ceiling with bedding, towels, clothes, etc. I have no idea why the residents weren't allowed to have these things. I also saw firsthand how the residents without transportation were just left day after day stuck in the shelter with no help. They were told there was no money in the budget for transportation but I know what there budget is (now, after the fact) and that was a complete lie. I was in the tiny minority that had a job AND a vehicle while living there and I'm incredibly thankful for that. Probably the worst part was when the hot water heater went out during our 3rd week there. We were left for 4 days with 7 children and 5 women and no hot water. No baths, no showers, no clothes washing (except cold water of course) and the staff made no apologies and got upset with me when I persisted in calling to report it. Shelters are ripe for further abuse of women who really have no voice...many have addiction history, have lost custody of their children and/or have mental illness. Its a sad testimony to the state of our country that the downtrodden are further kicked when they can least afford it. I'm proud of your, Gravity, for giving these women a voice and helping those that you can!
Feb 2 - 5PM (Reply to #4)
Gravity
Gravity's picture

GeorgiaGirl

GeorgiaGirl, I am so sorry to hear what you experienced when living in a shelter. It just further proves what a strong person you are to continue to grow and help other women after these experiences! I suspect that if the staff did not take my clothes home, maybe they were put into a room like the one you described..at least that would be better than a staff member selfishly taking 8 bags of donated clothes for herself. Unfortunately these days, you never know. Lots of love and blown away by the amount of strength you possess! xoxoxo
Feb 1 - 4PM
Hunter
Hunter's picture

Guess what YOU did your

Guess what YOU did your best.. And I so proud of you ,, it makes me smile.. And sweet gravity to boot you give back.. You know as well as I do bad people exisit .. They just do.. You did your best..keep doing it.. Karma..remember... Hunter
Feb 2 - 4PM (Reply to #2)
Gravity
Gravity's picture

Hunter

Thanks Hunter :) As always your posts make me smile as well! I'm trying.. hoping that justice will come to these strong women! xoxoox