Norwalk Emergency Shelter, Inc.
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Homelessness is an emergency. Whether residents are chronically homeless due to psychiatric disorders or drug addictions, or non-chronically homeless due to job loss, abuse, or any number of other unlucky reasons, a shelter is first and foremost protection and safety. The Open Door Shelter provides all residents whatever services are required to create an exit strategy. The new Hope Works jobs training program offers residents who want it the chance to make it. Granted, it is not the Comfort Inn, but it adheres to all state health regulations and provides a temporary home for renewal and independence. The employees, volunteers, partners, corporate supporters, and board members are there to make a difference and do so on a daily basis.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
no comment
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
no comment
2010
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big wrote: March 09, 2011
The shelter is now under new management. The new executive director is extremely passionate about the residents and has a strong clinical intervention plan. He is working hard to straighten out years of neglect & abandonment. We need the residents of Norwalk to come together in support of our new director & give him the chance to make the Open Door Shelter the very best any shelter can possibly be. A place that provides a temporary home while providing clinical, psychological, educational, emotional support & job training opportunities, before they are sent back to independence.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
last week
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none now
i visited this shelter rescently and right away i noticed the difference since the new CEO came in two weeks ago, he is friendly, smart, intuitive, client focused and eager to institute structure and organization. He is a big bodybuilder guy with gentle demeanor and has interest in bringing treatment to the shelter. You should go visit this guy. awesome
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
i have
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
keep the new CEO and have the community support him, he is awesome
They keep people there far too long without working with them on housing. The food is not healthy for living things and the ducts probably have not been cleaned for 10 years in the female dorm. All of the women in there start wheezing and coughing and there is no fresh air to breathe and no air circulation. The place is vastly overcrowded. The apartments, however, are a nice respite from the constant BLARING TV AND SCREAMING PEOPLE. Staff vary- some are very good- others worse behaved than the clients they "suspend". (kick out). No mental health services at all. They don't realize when someone is dangerous or having severe hallucinations. They kick out the drunks but not the crackheads and heroin addicts. Constant threats of SUSPENSION (being kicked out on the street) for things that vary by staff. Rules not followed by some staff and some clients.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
deterioration of health.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Start at the top and work down.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Many of the staff and clients.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Varied between professional and ghetto.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand its services to ALL clients in need, not just the staff's "buddies" from the street. Seriously, add services. Add apartment. Improve nutrition. Get jail beds made of sand out of the women's dorm. Help people move on.
Ways to make it better...
I had left much earlier and had help doing so.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Its overcrowding No TB tests when anyone comes in (threat) No nurse/dr. exam (MRSA and other diseases undetected on admission-threat to everyone. Dealing with money clearly and effectively.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I would spend a day as a "client" before working there or donating money and time. Staff often took home food donations meant for clients- also the nicer clothing items. One has to see it from the inside. The pamphlets are deceiving.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I think the Norwalk Emergency Shelter is a Flophouse more than a shelter they have people living there for more than 15 years and they don't do a thing about getting people out of there my girlfriend and I got out a couple of months ago and got our own apt. thew the internet by ourselves with no help from NES
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
They were nasty and ghetto types with no education
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
I would not give them a cent until the director the manager of operations and the director of social services is gone they also shad papers and take donations that are for the clients
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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