My Nonprofit Reviews
Ken_26
Review for Museum Associates, Los Angeles, CA, USA
There is quite a bit of informal discussion in Los Angeles that this organization, the non-profit underpinning of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), has very serious employment relations issues, and many members of the community have accused the management of tolerating an environment of anti-gay discrimination, especially by certain executives, especially the female executives. There are examples of gay male employees being fired, demoted, passed over, or otherwise mistreated, when they were fulfilling their jobs adequately or even exceptionally well, when sexual orientation is a protected class against discrimination under California law. The overall reputation of this institution has been called into question for this reason, and it has been said there is nothing being done about it by the highest levels of management. There have been discussions about employees witnessing physical violence from a select female executive toward male staff, which has not been investigated or disciplined. There has been discussion that a hostile work environment exists for gay male staff in particular, and for others, in an atmosphere of intimidation with no legitimate opportunity for the redress of grievances.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Listen to, and act on, the accusations that gay male employees have been systematically mistreated, and that a full investigation should be conducted, with the offending staff being disciplined, up to and including termination. There should be an external consultant hired to field the complaints from current and former employees, anonymously, and a thorough investigation conducted into the patterns of terminations in the past decade, many of which involve gay male employees specifically.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Review for Life Group LA Inc, West Hollywood, CA, USA
I have helped this organization in a limited role, but I have seen enough of it to say that it performs a VITAL role in the community. HIV is not "just" a medical condition; it is a condition that affects the whole person, and the people around them, in relationships and families. So, beyond medical care and medications, the social services are vitally important. I am a professional (clinical social worker) who has worked in HIV social services for over 22 years, and I have lived with HIV myself for 23 years. Having the opportunity to participate in a previous version of this organization was what I credit for my long-term survival. Having services like Sunnie's can make the difference between just surviving and truly thriving. Sunnie has skills, heart, and most importantly, integrity. I have worked in non-profits that do not have integrity, and they are awful; it is an injustice. Sunnie runs a tight ship, and there is no "monkey business"; her hands are clean and her services are sincere and effective, and I have the long-standing credentials and breadth and depth of experience as a client and as a professional to be able to say that. I'm very proud of Sunnie and the all work that the staff and volunteers of the Life Group do, and I give them my highest recommendations.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I think the organization, overall, needs more support. It should be receiving more funding, grants, and personal/private/public donations, of all kinds. It's a bit of an "unsung hero" in the community, because "bigger" organizations have better visibility and "PR", when a smaller organization like this is doing SO much good in the community to actual people in need.
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?
2013
