My Nonprofit Reviews
Carolyn
Review for Straight Spouse Network Inc, Chicago, IL, USA
This incredible worldwide Network of peers has saved countless lives, including mine! I've been privileged to be able to play several roles. The one I seem to have played from the start (nine years ago) is Volunteer. And it started at my first "gathering" (groups of Str8s who just meet up to support each other for several days). I walked nervously into an ongoing Board Meeting, and the brilliant founder (who'd seen my writings in the confidential listserv) announced "Carolyn is going to get us Director's insurance." I was dumbfounded. But I did it. Two months later, I was visiting English relatives in London, and another Str8 whom I met only online n that same listserv, called me at the hotel and asked me to join her in representing the Network on the BBC! Since then, I've had the joy of being able to speak out in other fora. For the last four years or so, I've managed the "triage" process -- that is, helping people who write find the closest face to face peer support group or contact. It's absolutely unbelievably heartwarming to hear from these people afterward about how I helped change their lives! And I'm ONLY ONE of hundreds of volunteers doing this every single day of the year, helping thousand of people every year.
More Feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review for Straight Spouse Network Inc, Chicago, IL, USA
The Straight Spouse Network saved what's left of my sanity! I found it in 2002, after my now ex husband of nearly 32 years disclosed he was gay. I was totally lost, and had no-one to talk to. The support, and caring, and outreach from this 99% volunteer organization helped me find my true self. I'd been "lost" for decades. The Straight Spouse Network is NOT homophobic, in any way. Nor does it speak against mixed orientation marriages. It merely supports those who find themselves among the invisible minorit work throught to find the best outcome for themselves. And it supports marital unions, so fewer of us will exist in the future!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own life and those of hundreds of others. They start to BREATHE again.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try even harder to find the money it needs to help more people.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
finding friends! I had been so isolated by my ex-husband, because he was afraid. I was a co-dependent. I am no more!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
just like me -- of all ages, races, creeds, socio-economic conditions, financial status, etc.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
It doesn't need ten million! It could help thousands of people with $200,000 guaranteed per year!
Ways to make it better...
the invisible minority of straight spouses didn't exist!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding funding and funding!
One thing I'd also say is that...
the Straight Spouse Network needs to get the word out, but can't because it's almost entirely volunteer (like me). As I said, AT LEAST five people a day write in for help. If one assumes that there are 20 people out there fore every five who write in...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
