My Nonprofit Reviews
C
Review for Straight Spouse Network Inc, Chicago, IL, USA
SSN has provided an umbrella that allows for some funding and website listing of a couple of email lists that I run, one for straight spouses and one for both lbgt spouses and straight spouses. By providing support for the email list, I have been able to provide a place for many trying to figure out some of the most intimate relationships in their lives. It was also thru SSN that I was able to get my life back together when I realized that being gay was a big thing in my husband's life, despite his wanting to be in love with me. Being surrounded by others who had been in the same place helped me heal and eventually see that letting go of my anger and hurt was healing for both me and all of my relationships, not just the one with my ex. SSN provided me with the knowledge that I wasn't alone, others had been in the same situation. That feeling helped to save me.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own life and the lives of others, both str8 and lbgt.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
struggle with the lack of understanding that we get from both the str8 and lgbt communities. Also with getting funding since so few seem to understand/accept that all of us have the right to be true to ourselves and loved 1's when it doesn't fit the mold
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
that the people are the most important aspect and manage to agree to disagree sometimes so that the healing for all can occur.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all survivors of the devastation that the coming out process can cause. They all want to give back the support now in the form of reaching out, healing and building bridges.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
be more visible, so that more people would understand the harm that hiding from yourself and bringing others into your "closet" does to not only yourself, but to the loved ones you pull into your "closet".
Ways to make it better...
everyone understood that people that are hurt can make very hurtful comments out of pain, rather than a desire to hurt.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding, visibility and acceptance in both the str8 and lbgt worlds. Currently all of these are challenges as the group is seen as challenging traditional values in the one and as being haters in the other. Maybe we do challenge tradition but no hate.
One thing I'd also say is that...
this organization has helped me to see that this world is big enough for all, and for all to live, work and play together with authenticity.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
