Virginia Williams Family Resource Center — Attraction in Washington

I am here and would have to agree that this place is not for anyone that is suffering any mental health and domestic violence. Today I was denied shelter services for reasons that are beyond anything that we could control within the 5 hours I spent here. Although Jasleen seemed to want to help her supervisors were not. While I was trying to get my son's verification that he is my son, supervisor, Tanisha Schlechtriem threaten to have me escorted out by the police. When I asked her why she said they were closed. Well I didn't know that so why the aggressive attitude. They refused emergency family housing to a domestic violence victim. The supervisor stated that even if my son was here I would have to prove that was my son before I could be placed. How many DV have birth certificates when trying to flee? That's a certain barrier that can and should be something this agency should assist you with. But instead she told me go to Adam's street to get that. 🙄 she claims the only proof would be a birth certificate. She couldn't understand how he was even enrolled at school without it.

Apparently, I provided enough proof that I was his mother.

Leads me to ask a question people are letting other people get there kids? And enrolling them in school? We have the same last name "Bontzolakes" is that a red flag? Cause that last name is not common at all. The uniqueness of it should be clear that I'm not lying. But the whole time I felt like I had to prove that I wasn't lying. Like it was there job to pike wholes and deny people emergency services. Reason #1 I have NYS MEDICAID (they wouldn't even close that case until this case is reopened here) DSS would help organize that so that there is no lapse in coverage. Reasons #2 They didn't believe that my child was with me even after they called my friend to verify that my son was with her son at Whole Foods. Reason #3 lying stating I receive benefits public assistance in another state. I have not received PA in 38+ years! Or is it saying I have to prove we have it? Who the heck knows. #Reason # 4 my son is registered here for school starting in 2 weeks. All info provided to them I'm attaching here. I even told them that I'll run and grab my son and bring him back. I didn't need my son to take care of grown up business. It's traumatizing enough to be relocating because of the trauma.

My appeal rights were not giving to me. Only told me to come back after I get birth certificate and all these other things.

Ms. Leek the other supervisor posed every one of her questions as if I was a liar. She even trying to make it seem that I wasn't at a woman's only shelter. When in fact the worker Jasleen told her that I did tell her. I came to this place because the Harvey shelter told me they could not help me obtain anything for my son but birth certificate and every thing pertaining to housing was only for single people. They referred me here and it had been the worst experience since I been here. I agree this place needs to be closed or revamped and those from the top need to be the ones gone. To be...

I Been Down To Va Williams 5 Times To Try To Get Help For My Family. I Have A Son That's Disabled And Have Mental Illness. My Son Is 24 But Is Unable To Take Care Of His Self!!! They Turned Me Away For Stupid Reasons Because My Son Can Request Money From His Payee And Can Go Get It On His Own He Been With This Agency For Five Years So He Knows How To Travel There. Comm Conn Give Me A Check From His SSI For My Sons Care. I Don't Want The Responsibility Of Being His Payee!! Va Williams Keep Talking About A Address That's In The System, I Told Them That Community Connections Is His Payee And My Son Never Resided At That Address. One Of Va Williams Case Manager Told Me To Get A Letter From Comm Conn. I Came Back With The Letter & Requested To See The Supervisor, I Waited Five Hours Only To Be Turned Away Again. I Was Told I Had To Get A Letter From His Psychiatrist Or His Primary Care Stating That He Is Disabled Or Mental And A Statement Showing Who Is My Son Payee Is Even Though The Supervisor From Comm Conn Told Va Williams That They Are His Payee, They Are Still Making Me Bring More Documents!!! I Am Fortunate To Have A Job Because If I Didn't We Would Be On The Streets. I Have Been Paying Hotels With My Checks My Son Money And A Friend!!! Some Of Va Williams Employess Are Very Nice And Helpful And Some Don't Want To Place Me Because I Been Homeless Before And They Helped. They Don't Care If We Are On The Streets And Don't Have No Where To Go. Each Case Should Be Treated As New, My Old Case Worker That Placed Us Last Time Talked To The New Case Worker And They Been Giving Me The Run Around!!Va Williams Employees Should Always Be Humbled Because They Never Know When It Could...

I definitely understand one's frustration when dealing with social services especially when one may be in a tight position in life and things may not be going well. But one thing everyone must understand with an organization similar to Virgina Williams Family Resource Center it all comes down to an issue with the funding. However you choose to view the situation it's always a numbers type of thing, and we must keep in mind with all the families that come through organizations like Virgina Williams and actually receive some type of resource whether it be a food card of some type of placement and they actually don't need it, the act takes away from the families who actually need the services and get turned away. If you really want to see a change in the way things are people need to gather and let congress know that more funding is needed for social services. Everyone who plans to get some type of assistant through organizations like Virginia Williams, understand that services are only temporary, you must have a plan for tomorrow.

I have spent some time evaluating Virgina Williams, and I can assure you that each employee in this organization does a excellent job with the given resources to assist families who indeed need help.

Signed* A walking Sociologist.

if you need people to help you, it goes a long way if you approach the situation...