My Brothers Keeper Outreach — Local services in Houston

I understand that agencies such as "My Brother's Keeper" supposedly assist people with money funded by government grants, however I think it is ridiculous to have a person to call your agency numerous times to receive a message stating that you need to make an appointment via the phone; and finally when you get through and speak with a live person, they tell you that they have no appointments available. I asked,” so this mean you currently do not have funding available? “I was told, yes we have funding available but we don't have any appointments available. This process is very frustrating, I have fell on hard times, and was seeking out assistance for my utility bill, but I just assume this will be a complete waste of my time. I really don't buy the fact that no appointments was available; since the agency decided to answer the phone at 10:18 and their facility opens at 10 am. I would like to make a suggestion, maybe they should record a message that states that appointments are not available, and when they are available answer the phone. It just makes me feel like the facility is selecting the people they are wanting to assist, rather than disburse the funds available to all of the needy people. Yes, I am disgruntled. I work every day, and still do not have enough funds to provide for my family, and when you call the agencies that supposed to assist you, you run into road blocks every which way you turn. I would hope the government have system, in place to verify how these funds are...

I give 2 stars because maybe they are helping people with rent and utilities... I have been calling for 3 weeks at 10 am, and of course, getting the same response of appointments is full as most people. Here are a few questions and observations. If at 10 am, when the line opens, 1000s of people call in, and therefore, at 10 am, no appointments are available. Does that mean every call that gets through gets an appointment automatically just for being answered? Also, as I read reviews, this is an ongoing complaint for the for as far back as 6 years now. How can this system make improvements on what seems to be everyone's complaint for years and years? Or it is what it is? As I read a few reviews and saw what felt like in some cases an offened response from MBK in one response, they stated that once the lines are full, the message is automatic. So let's say they pick up and hold 25 people. Knowing that 1000s are calling at that 10am time means most people will never get through. I believe the reviews stem from a system that is overloaded and could be improved, and because of that, 1000s of desprite people will fall short of receiving any help or at least a personal conversation with someone about there options for help. Because people never get to speak with anyone, they are calling several times with hope to be disappointed within seconds. I believe MBK is doing what they have always done, but I do believe some changes to better serve the...

PLEASE listen to the reviews. This place is as Illegitimate as they come. I was referred here by 211 and seeing all of the bad reviews I thought "this place can't be that bad right?" I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt, I just tried calling this morning 10:00 am on the nose just to receive a message saying "all rental and utility appointments had been filled for the day" umm.. excuse me? You literally just opened, how does that add up? Also I noticed that whenever the supposed "owner" replies to negative reviews, it's always defensive and passive aggressive, one review in particular was a lady explaining her experience there and how the one staff member was rude. The "owner" responded to her, do you think she said we're sorry that your visit was not positive, and our staff were not courteous. Nope just excuses about how we service all areas and you have to call at 10:00 am "lol" to make an appointment, all being said in a very nasty and condescending tone. If this is how you handle bad reviews I can only imagine how it would be if by some miracle you were to get an appointment and go in person. Thanks but no thanks, if you can't or no longer want to give assistance to the community, you need to stop advertising yourself as a possible avenue. People out here are genuinely in need of help myself including, the last thing we need on top of that is to be treated rudely and given...