Serving People in Need, Inc.
May 25, 2011
I WORKED FOR THIS COMPANY FOR 8 MONTHS. IT WAS LIKE BEING IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. THE HIRE AND FIRE PEOPLE LIKE ITS OUT OF FASHION AND THE HR DEPT ARE SERIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEIR PROGRAM DIRECTORS ARE THE WORST TYPE OF PEOPLE. THEY HAVE HAD MORE 51As FILED ON THEM THAN ANY COMPANY I KNOW. IF YOU STAND UP FOR YOURSELF, AND TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING, PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND HER MINIONS WILL FIND A WAY TO GET RID OF YOU. IT HAPPENED TO SOOO MANY PEOPLE, I WONDER HOW THE HIGHER UPS ARE SO OBLIVIOUS TO IT. IF DCF ONLY KNEW OF THE NEGLECT OF CLIENTS AND FAKENESS OF THE HORRIBLE WOMAN THAT RUNS THOSE HOUSES, THEY'D BE SHUT DOWN IN A HEART BEAT. WHEN I LEFT SOME STAFF WOULD CALL ME AND ASK ME TO FILE AN ANONYMOUS 51A, OUT OF FEAR OF REPURCUSSIONS IF THEY DID, THEY FELT IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY LOSE THEIR JOBS. THIS PLACE IS RUN BY HOODRATS, AND IGNORANT HIGHER UPS.!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I DONT EVEN PUT THIS JOB ON MY RESUME, AND I HOPE TO ONE FORGET HOW ABUSIVE THESE ANIMALS WERE...SPECIFICALLY THE DCF GROUP HOMES ON NEWHALL ST.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
SHUT IT DOWN! OR GET PEOPLE THAT WILL PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHARACTERS THAT WORK THERE, AND MAKE IT ABOUT THE KIDS, AND NOT THE CROOKS THAT RUN THE HOMES!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
July 29, 2010
SPIN has been reaching out to the homeless in our county for over 20 years. I began volunteering when my adult children were toddlers - we would shop at Sams Club for food to take on the van to the homeless in parks, adopt families at Christmas, and prepare hygiene kits. I now offer support as a committee member to help plan the fund raising events. SPIN makes a huge difference in the lives of so many who find themselves homeless due to many reasons.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
witnessing the outcome in the lives of those helped by SPIN
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the wonderful and uplifting staff and volunteers I've worked with.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
exceptionally gifted and big hearted. They give of themselves for the sake of bettering the lives of others.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
move to a better location, buy a new van, and open shelters and storage facilities.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
December 24, 2009
I am a native resident of Newport Beach and have been involved in many charitible organizations in the area as a volunteer and donor. SPIN has become our new charity of choice over the last few years. I have organized large drives for warm winter clothing, hygiene kits and food for the homeless and local shelters that they serve. They are a wonderful small group that is professional, organized and friendly. They are truly dedicated to helping others in a hands on manner. Kim Frazier has come to speak to my Girl Scout troops and Assistance League groups as a volunteer. She has shown very impressive videos that share the plight of homelessness in Orange County. I am quite impressed with the operation of the SPIN organization and my family also gives regularly to the group because we strongly believe in the depth of what they are doing. Our daughters have also worked at SPIN for Girl Scouts and our older girls earned their Gold Award which equates to the Eagle Scout award through SPIN. We will continue to support this wonderful organization and are extremely pleased with the impact they are making in our community. I encourage others to see how they are helping to change lives...
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
truly dedicated to their work in helping others and changing lives.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 22, 2009
I volunteer my time to work with SPIN because I truly believe in what they are doing and know that is is an organization that really helps people. My sister died three years ago from alcoholic cirrosis of the liver at age 42. She was a brilliant and wonderful person but needed help to get her life together. I wish I had known about SPIN earlier but when I finally did learn about how SPIN helps people help themselves I knew it was an organization that I wanted to work with. SPIN's extremely dedicated staff members and volunteers go above and beyond to improve the lives of the disadvantaged. They really care and it shows.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have heard the stories and seen the results of many of the individuals that SPIN has helped.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The director and staff are wonderful to work with.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely dedicated and caring.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help so many people help themselves.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 22, 2009
My name is Leigh Ann and I am a grateful alcohlic. To date I have over 2 years of sobriety. I LOVE SPIN! They were there for me when no one else was. The support I have received over the past 2 years has been amazing. My case worker Diane Noel went above and beyond for me and was my cheerleader all along the way. When I came to Spin I was broken and lost. I finally came to realization that my life was unmanageable. I gave so much away due to my alcholism, my kids, my job, my family and my self respect. I felt worthless. With Spin's help and guidence today I am a productive employee (same job for 2 years), an active mom, a girlfriend and a daughter. I sponsor other women and it is the bright spot in my life. I am more compassionate and less judgemental today. Spin gave "me" back to "me". I encourgage anyone out there looking for a different path in life to call Spin and see what an awesome life you can have too! They will help you as long as you are willing. THANKS SPIN AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my recovery
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
is my case manager Diane Noel
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
helpful and awesome.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help all of CA not just Southern CA.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 18, 2009
My Story By Lisa Montgomery Good Evening. My name is Lisa and I’m an alcoholic. When Diane asked me to speak on behalf of the SPIN program I leapt at the chance. I’m a huge fan of the program and it, in every sense of the word saved my life. If you were to tell me five years ago that the perfect storm was waiting for me…that I would know hunger, homelessness, despair, death, raging alcoholism, deafening loneliness, a suicide attempt and finally, fighting for my life in the Intensive Care Unit, I would have said you were insane. My best friend called me Martha Stewart. I had everything anyone could want. Now that comparison only conjures up the memories of her messy fall from grace, just like mine. But thank goodness both of us have managed a victorious resurrection. My perfect storm began with the death of my husband, followed by the death of my mother, the loss of my son, my lovely home, my beloved dog and my life as I knew it. As these events in my life were unfolding I just drank the pain away. I drank and drank and drank and drank, hoping that one day I just wouldn’t wake up. I was so ill-equipped to handle such pain that I could hardly breathe. I couldn’t function. I couldn’t work. All I did was cry and drink. My odyssey took me to a place I was very unfamiliar with. My addiction woke me up every morning at 4:00 and it shook me till 6:00 when the liquor stores re-opened. I was blacking out more and more now. My health was deteriorating fast. I was being admitted to the hospital about once a month by this time and each stay was getting longer and longer and more serious. Each surgery to take out a major organ or to put one back together was taking its toll. I weighed 95 pounds. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. One night I overheard a nurse telling someone I was dying of alcoholism. It stopped me in my tracks. I knew in my heart that she was right. It was no secret I was close to death. One of my surgeons sat down on my bed and said to me in the kindest voice…”please don’t do this, please don’t die”. I thought it so odd at the time but looking back I know now he was a Christian. It’s funny, when someone tells you you’re dying how indignant you can be. NO I’M NOT! Here I was, trying to drink myself to death every single day, but God-for-bid someone TELL me anything. I finally conceded that I needed help. I was released from the hospital and went straight to the Roque Treatment Center to get sober. Only problem was, they were full. That night I slept in the park. I just can’t tell you the kind of fear and terror I experienced that night. I was so sick and scared that I would just never wish that on anyone. When I got up that morning I went straight back to the Roque and begged them to give me a bed. They must have known how scared I was. I can only vaguely remember how bad I actually looked. Just 5 days prior I was recovering from major surgery to stop the internal bleeding. Just three days prior I was getting a blood transfusion. Just days ago I had a blood alcohol level five times the legal limit. Just last night I was freezing and sleeping in the park. Seven days later I was released from the Roque and faced the same dilemma. I had nowhere to go. I knew I couldn’t go back to where I’d come from because I would surely drink again. My legs were still wobbly and I felt horrible. I just stood outside with a plastic bag filled with all my belongings and prayed for someone to help me. Right then and there I met up with LeighAnn, manager of the Lighthouse. It’s hard to say in just a few words what she’s done for me. She has an innate way of knowing when I’m struggling. She has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and allies. I can’t be sure but I think she sleeps with one eye open. We can laugh now about what a sight I was. I often think about what would have become of me if we hadn’t crossed paths that day. LeighAnn told me to call SPIN the next day, which I did. In the next few days I met Diane over at SPIN. I was so scared. Everything scared me back then. She had arranged for me to get a food card and bus passes so I could come see her. I was sure she would notice my comb-over because most of my hair had fallen out. I was sure she would notice the piece-meal outfit I had put together from donations. I was sure she would notice my hands were shaking, my eyes were red and my spirit was broken. But she didn’t seem to. She just smiled and offered me all kinds of hope. She told me I could take as much food as I could carry on the long bus ride home. She told me to look for a job 8 hours a day, 7 days a week. She told me to get a sponsor and work the steps. But most importantly she told me “If you just listen to me and do as I say, in one years time you will not recognize your life as you know it now”. She told me to keep reading the promises and they’ll be mine. She gave me hope. I just started to cry. For the first time in a long time I felt safe. I was just so ready to believe in someone. I had absolutely nothing to lose. Diane told me about the benefits of the SPIN program and if I stuck with it so would she. I’m happy to say we both kept our promise. Diane had me looking for work 8 hours a day, seven days a week. I thought I would die. I was so sick I would literally jump off the bus and heave in the bushes. I had blisters all over my feet and I looked awful. But I didn’t deviate from the program. I just kept plugging away. Finally I found a get-well job, a place where they could appreciate my emaciated look…Sak’s 5th Ave. As my strength and confidence grew Diane would gently nudge me to the next step. She would strongly suggest that I do this or that. I would begrudgedly do as she said, still remembering her words….do as I say for one year. I always felt like I was on the edge of a steep cliff and I was going to fall off any second. But time after time when I felt that I was just about to fall into the abyss, SPIN had this huge feather bed waiting for me to land on. Seven months into sobriety I decided to go after a dream job. To my surprise I got it. An office overlooking Newport Harbor. New friends, new life, everything was perfect. Three weeks later I lost that job. I was devastated. I was terrified I would be homeless again. Then I hear the familiar chirp of Diane’s voice…”OK. get back out there, I want to see 10 job searches a day, I’m going to help you with your rent for two more weeks till you get on your feet, get back on the horse, get going girl, blaa, blaa, blaa”. I could barely get out of bed. How the hell was I going to start over again. Well, I did. I think I was just so petrified of Diane I just did it. She not only made me look for a job she strongly encouraged me to go to grief counseling at the same time. It turned out to be the turning point in my recovery. Erin was my counselor. She is also someone that has been instrumental in my recovery and I am so grateful to her. I can now get through a sentence without a tear when I mention my husband or my mom or my son or my dog scrappy-doo. My grief doesn’t obsessively occupy my thoughts. I can breathe again, and eat again and feel joy. Grief counseling was that last piece of my puzzle. Fast forward a week shy of my first year of Sobriety. I have my dream job and it has nothing to do with yachts and V.I.P.’s and ocean views. I work for a wonderful Christian family who love me. I get to take part in resurrecting two fledgling little bakeries. My boss tells me how lucky he got when he ran that ad on Craig’s List which I answered. I have a home office and make my own schedule. I’m often working quietly into the night driven only by my gratitude for my new situation. But most importantly I have sobriety. I have friends and family who love me. I have my friends at SPIN, with their fold-away feather bed if I ever feel as though I’m falling off that steep cliff again. I can’t wait for the day when I call Diane and tell her my son has come back to me. My best friend that I mentioned earlier recently said to me…”Lisa, what would you have done without SPIN?”. All I can do is shake my head and say “I don’t know, I don’t want to even think about it”. I unfortunately lost my sister Debbie this year to liver failure. My other sister Linda is very sick and her life hangs in the balance. But things are different today. I’ve learned acceptance and more importantly I’ve learned I’m a survivor. And I will survive this too. Thank you for letting me speak today on behalf of the SPIN Program. It’s been an honor and my pleasure. My name is Lisa and I’m a very grateful alcoholic.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I not only received much needed direction from the Spin organization I have gained many friends who helped save my life. They gave me hope.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Diane was absolutely fabulous as a counselor. I consider her a dear friend.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 17, 2009
I am eternally grateful to the people who run SPIN. When I got out of prison, they helped me find a place to stay and get my life back. The counslers helped by guiding me to find a better way of life. I owe them a debt of gratitude for I now have 4+ years of being clean and sober. My heart and thanks to them all.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Being a former client. I have grown as a person and am now able to give back.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Are the people and their dedication to helping the people who want to get their lives back in order.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind, but straight forward and no-nonsense. If you needed and were willing to do the right thing, then they would give you the sun.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 17, 2009
SPIN was an amazing opportunitie in my life. when i was newly sober and adjusting to living life and all its responsibilities, SPIN assisted me in many ways. They found me a place to live, helped me out with food and counseling. Thank you so much to all the emloyees there with out you guys i would of been homeless and hopeless-Sarah
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
counseling meetings, step to moving out on my own, holding jobs
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
nothing
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the case worker
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very nice and informative
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help ALOT of people get off the streets
Ways to make it better...
nothing
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
nothing
One thing I'd also say is that...
nothing
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 16, 2009
SPIN has to be one of the most worthwhile causes out there. The ability of this organization to get people on their feet is amazing. Instead of just simply providing hand outs, they produce results via an excellent combination of sustenance, shelter and training. I would highly recommend SPIN to anyone looking for a better place to donate their charitable contributions!
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Amazingly talented and by-far underpaid.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
... it could drastically address the homelessness problem in Southern California.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 16, 2009
I have been indirectly involved with SPIN for several years. I have attended and helped with their fundraisers, helped by contributing whenever possible, and have learned about their efforts through friends. They have provided countless meals and hygiene supplies for the homeless, counseled those who have addictions, and helped those without jobs secure employment.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the results with the hoomeless, and those who have been helped with their addictions
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the people and volunteers involved
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the volunteer co-ordinator, and those who share the responsibilites of securing grants and financial help
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
supply food for the many homeless in Orange County, and provide more counseling for those who have nowhere to turn.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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