YWCA of Northwest Georgia

I went through this program as a victim of Domestic Violence, yes me and my children were given shelter. However the resources and rehabilitation steps were not sufficient. After living in the shelter for 3 1/2 months coming to a new state where me and my kids knew no one we were treated like a burden. I didn't hear from my case manager regarding any steps to self sufficiency again, until I went to the shelter Director Jessica and complained, than my case manage Shawna reached out to me but she seem to be irritated to do so. Staff was not engaging or friendly and only spoke to you about completing chores. I received a letter stating that my time in the shelter was up and that I needed to be out within a matter of weeks. I began scrambling to try and get approved and find a place, as i had just started working again. I begged my case manager for help locating a place and she seemed to have limited ability to do so. I also begged them for financial assistance to help secure a place and that is when I met Charity, she was rude from the very beginning and told me that she didn't know if i would be approved for the program or if the program would have any funding and this mind you was at the beginning of a funding cycle for the program. So after fighting for my rights I met with Charity and the housing program manager. Of course they had funding! Of course I qualified. However they paid my deposit and first month's rent, and I had a small balance to pay. The next month they tried to attempt to pay only 500.00 because the program according to Robin the housing program manger could not afford to do more than that. I explained to them I was out of work due to family emergency and than they paid the entire month, even though they told me there was no funding. Than the next day I got a very short and cold email from the housing manager saying that the next month would be the last month of assistance from the program that I would be receiving, and it would only be for 500.00 and that is it! This was before any evaluation was completed to see if me and my family needed the additional assistance. So than COVID 19 came and employers put a hiring freeze on hiring the kids were placed out of school by an executive order, so this limited my ability to go out and work. They paid the 500.00 and left me with a balance of 1000.00 I also asked for help with my vehicle payments so I could maintain transportation and they strung me along for a month and than said the agency they referred me to I have to be working to get assistance, and this so conveniently happened I requested to file a grievance with the agency regarding the fact that they promised to refer me out to another agency for assistance and than than reneged on their agreement. The housing manger sent me an email stating that they could do nothing further for me even if that meant me and my kids would be on the streets. I am still following all the proper channels to expose them and fight for me and my children's rights. When we moved into our home we had no furniture and my case manage knew we had no furniture because she did a home visit and she referred to an agency where I had to pay 100.00 to get furniture. She never followed up to see if we got any furniture frankly she didn't care. It was not until the school social work came by and saw that we didn't have beds to sleep on that something was done. This agency has complained from the very beginning that they do not have funding and that is why they cannot help. I believe it is a lie and I would like to request there financial records to use in the complaint I am building against them.

I have just recently begun volunteering at the YWCA. I have been impressed with the staff and their dedication to helping those affected by violence. The atmosphere is caring and professional. The needs in this community seem overwelming at times however everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
I feel blessed to be a part of this organization.

I started volunteering here about 1 1/2 years ago and the longer I am here, the more appreciative I become for what this organization does in the community. The amount of support they offer to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with a small staff is remarkable. It is testimony of the wonderful leadership they have and the dedication of the staff. But, because of increasing needs and limited resources, volunteers are crucial.

No matter your background or your skills, I encourage everyone in the area to please offer whatever time you can spare to help this organization as they help hurting families in our community.