My Nonprofit Reviews
njfp
Review for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Duquesne, PA, USA
While I have had enormous respect for any organization that helps feed the hungry, I have enormous respect for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. They have a tremendous task of helping to provide food to children, families, the elderly, the poor, and every one that needs fed, and it is extremely hard to keep up with that demand. The economy has a lot to do with the fluctuation of their supply and demand and in this current economy, it makes the job that much harder. Every year I donate food on a consistent basis, and, every holiday, instead of having guests arrive with hostess gifts, I ask that they bring nonperishable items to be donated to the food bank. They have readily complied. I will continue to aid in this fight for ending hunger and hope those who read this will consider a donation of any type as well.
More Feedback
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
Review for Peer Support And Advocacy Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
www.alleghenycounty.us/controll/pdf/2011/2011-51.pdf
If you type this link in you will see the actual Allegheny County Controller's Audit which is a 33 page report that verifies that this organization had to repay $371,844 due to a variety of problems that were due to mismanagement on a number of levels, i.e. not monitoring county funded vehicles by not appropriately logging information related to them; the executive director taking over payments of salary and bonuses; discriminating against employees by not allocating equal bonuses appropriately, among other mismanaged items found and reported by the Allegheny County Auditors. I worked at this organization and was hired as a temporary employee at the time of my hire. To recoveryworks, another reviewer, I am not, nor ever have been, dishonest about my experience at this organization. I also have no mental illness but learned that this organization hires individuals with mental illnesses as you note. Your written personalization of my comments makes me fear for my safety as you say you "know who I am." That sounds threatening to me. Due to the arrests of many employees and the problems with management, I reported this organization to the authorities appropriately. In March 2011, I wrote a letter of complaint about this organization and sent it certified to the District Attorney. I still have all copies of all records regarding this issue. Within a few days of me sending my letter to the District Attorney, another arrest was made at this organization of an employee selling drugs out of a county funded vehicle that was not appropriately monitored by this organization's management. It was televised on all local news channels and published in print and on the internet via the local media. I was contacted by detectives of Allegheny County via telephone and discussed my complaint regarding the issues. I stand by my comments and this is a forum to discuss facts. The above link to the Allegheny County Controller's report verifies the facts as I write them herein and their report contains more facts. I have no personal issue with anyone at the organization. I take issue to the poor performance and dishonesty of the organization's former management - which is justified and appropriate. I am thankful to the District Attorney and its office staff and the Allegheny County Controller and its staff for their hard work in regard to correctly identifying and reporting about this organization publicly.
More Feedback
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Review for Peer Support And Advocacy Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
To ImOkay (another reviewer of PSAN), Thank you for validating my credibility by agreeing with me that you experienced employees at PSAN being arrested too. That is one purpose of this website, to inform donors and members of the public about organizations that are problematic and poor stewards of funds.Our support of one another in this regard helps shape public opinion. I love my profession and have raised millions of dollars for nonprofits through private and public contributions over my 25+ year career in development and public relations. PSAN is a 100% government funded organization using taxpayers' funds to operate. At PSAN, I learned their mission is to help people with mental illnesses and to employ them as well. I also learned what mental health recovery is through others affected with those issues, and I know nothing about personal recovery as I was a Director at PSAN that did not have a mental illness or addiction or disorder of any type, yet alone a dual diagnosis. I never had those issues, did not want any of those issues, and continue to pray that i never develop those issues and thus far, have had my prayers answered favorably. However, I did have a family member that was affected by those issues that is now deceased and I was committed to helping others affected by those issues. I recently learned that the last executive director hired at PSAN in 2005 just retired January 12, 2012, shortly after receiving the Allegheny County Auditor's report demanding that PSAN reimburse the County app. $371,844 for funds mismanaged under her supervision, or lack of. Among many things, it was disclosed in that audit, that she was taking overpayments of salary and bonuses that were not allowed by the County. Maybe the agency realized some positive change since her departure. You write you no longer work at PSAN. I left PSAN in 2006, and it was several years until I reported PSAN's managerial problems to the District Attorney in March 2011 hoping PSAN would correct their behaviors without government intervention. My opinions of PSAN will never change due to my work experience there, but I am glad it sounds like you found the help you needed while working there. I did not need PSAN's help; I am a professional that gave PSAN my help and it was my professional and personal obligation to report them. I have copies of my excellent evaluations while working there. ImOkay, I hope your mental health recovey lasts a lifetime. Again, I thank you for your honesty related to the arrests of employees at PSAN that you evidently have knowledge of too.
More Feedback
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Review for Urban League Of Greater Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I was employed for a short time at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and had the pleasure of working for the President and Chief Executive Officer on a annual fundraising event they've held for years. She was a wonderful mentor and I respected her immensely. She's helped the organization establish an excellent reputation for helping individuals empower themselves and achieve goals and grow both personally and professionally. I would recommend the agency to anyone in need of finding a direction in their lives and learning how to accomplish goals. I also have financially contributed to the organization and would encourage others to do the same.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The organization achieves success in its educational programming and delivering services to the community, has success in fundraising, and has successfully employed many individuals longterm.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Change nothing.
Review for UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I worked with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Program staff, Volunteers, and Clients of Mon Yough Community Servcies Inc. and its sister corporation (when it existed), named Mon Yough Human Services, Inc. for almost 7 years. After I left the organizations as a paid employee, I was asked to consult as a professional with expertise in Development and Public Relations. It is an excellent provider of a multitude of programs and services to the community. I would recommend anyone in need of their services to utilize their skills and expertise, and I have contributed to this organization financially and would ask others to do the same.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
They have had success for decades of years with client satisfaction, with fundraising efforts including capital campaigns, with programs and services expansion and new programming, and many employees stay longterm with the organization, up to retirement.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not change a thing.
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1997
What is unique about this organization?
It has the ability to change the lives of people seeking to get help with a variety of issues, and to lead full, and quality-oriented lives.
Review for Lupus Foundation Of Pennsylvania , Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I worked with the organization when it was the Lupus Foundation of Western PA. Its Executive Director, Program Coordinator, Support staff, Volunteers, and Board of Directors were a joy to work with, and for. The organization operates smoothly with great precision and attention to detail with a very small staff. Its programs and services are excellent with many individuals served through their Outreach and Education programs in several counties. I would recommend their programs and services and have contributed to them financially. In addition, their dedication to raising awareness and funding for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, lupus) research is extraordinary.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've witnessed the success they've found through helping patients seeking information on the disease, the success of their fundraising and awareness campaigns, the success of their Education Programs, and the success they've had with funding research for lupus patients over decades of years needs to be respected and revered. Additionally, they have had great success with many of their employees serving longterm and growing in their careers.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not change a thing.
Review for Transitional Services Inc, Homestead, PA, USA
I worked as a consultant with many employees from Transitional Services Inc. including its current Chief Executive Officer, its Quality Assurance Director, some its support staff, program staff, and Fundraising staff. I found all of them to be highly professional and great to work with, and for. I would highly recommend their programs and services offered to assist individuals in need, and, I have personally contributed financially to their organization and would ask others to do the same.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've seen success in client satisfaction, success of a good public reputation, success in their fundraising, and success through longterm careers of many of their employees.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not change a thing
Review for Peer Support And Advocacy Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I had very negative experiences at PSAN. PSAN's 501(c)3 status was founded in 2003. Staff arrests are reported by media since 2004 & I have supportive documentation to evidence my claims i.e. news articles, police reports, etc. I witnessed arrests of its ex. director & recreation coordinator in 2004. I knew of several thefts (totaling $10,000+) in 2004 and in 2006. I told the police who committed one of these crimes, the employee confessed. In August 2005 a new ex. director was hired. I reported PSAN to the EEOC for discrimination of its employees in 2006. In 2007 the EEOC learned my name was forged on documents given to them by the ex. director hired in August 2005. I received a right to sue letter but chose not to sue PSAN & I attempted to work with the Board of Directors to locate the criminal who forged my name, they ignored my request and the criminal was not located. Another employee of PSAN was arrested in April 2011. In April 2011, I reported these crimes & other information including overpayments of salaries & bonuses paid to the ex. director hired in August 2005 to the local District Attorney. The statute of limitations had expired for me on forgery and fraud yet he ordered an audit & found apr. $371,844 mismanaged by the ex. director hired in August 2005 (and still in place in 2011) & staff & board & ordered it to be repaid, including the salary overpayments. As a Development & Public Relations professional for over 20 years, I would not refer PSAN to assist anyone due to so much criminal activity and arrests of its employees, nor would I contribute financially to their organization under these circumstances.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
[PDF] County Aug 31, 2011 ... Response from Peer Support and Advocacy Network 24. Response ... These procedures Were performed as a non-audit service. Therefore ... www.alleghenycounty.us/controll/pdf/2011/2011-51.pdf
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Change its leadership immediately through termination of the highest executive and key administrative staff who demonstrate through the above listed county government audit that they are not able to perform the job they are hired to, are not complying with appropriate laws and regulations, are demonstrating poor leadership, poor judgment, and poor management skills, and last, are evidencing they are poor stewards of public and private funds, therefore, a harm to public trust.
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
