Riverview Gardens Inc

The "mission" to provide "job training" does not seem to be happening on the ground. On paper, this organization looks great, and many continue to spout the same rhetoric as is marketed on the website. However, if you ask the longer-term participants (which includes veterans, those there as part of their correctional programs, part of COTS, or part of Ryan Community) about their experience with the job training--as I did when employed there--the responses were overwhelmingly negative. Some responses include, "what job training?" and "it's not happening," -- in sum, the responses prove that the mission is simply not being fulfilled as promised for many participants. Many said that they feel they are being taken advantage of--they provide free labor, which the organization relies upon for daily operations, and in exchange, they receive "job training". However, as many explained, the job training is either ineffective or nonexistent. Many said that they haven't spoken up about any issues because they feel that they have no voice or choice, and that they don't have a right to speak up due to their circumstances. Some feared saying anything because they didn't want to risk losing their housing or losing the merits gained in their respective correctional programs. 

I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of the vision and mission at Riverview, and I do believe in the potential of this organization. However, the mission is not being effectively executed. Some people have had great experiences volunteering here; however, those who are there through the DOC, COTS, or Ryan Community have a different experience. Despite what the organization says on paper, these participants I worked with are not being adequately represented, respected, heard, or served. Further, no feedback is gathered from participants, volunteers, interns, or part-time employees, which allows these issues to persist as if they are isolated incidences rather than pervasive issues. Employees are also not being adequately respected, heard, or given the proper resources or direction to do their jobs well. They are not speaking up because they fear losing their jobs, their insurance, and their ability to use Riverview as a reference.

In sum, there is a serious lack of clarity and direction from the executive director and there do not seem to be clear metrics guiding the organization as a whole. This has resulted in a messy internal dynamic led by unclear and volatile expectations. This situation has persisted because people--employees and participants--fear the repercussions of speaking up.