This is on the Hartford Courant (the major newspaper of CT) website. The parts highlighted in purple are about my job specifically. This scandal is about to hit the fan and since my job is mentioned specifically and the public outcry concerning this has been so great, i might be out of a job soon.


http://blogs.courant.com/george_gombossy/2009/04/my-sisters-place-former-staffe.html




My Sisters' Place: Former staffer complains of changes
What Happen To My Sisters' Place Shelter?
(Helping Women and Children in Need)
Some of us in the community are wondering what happen to My Sisters' Place Shelter?

Why did MSP Shelter move from Capen Street, Hartford, CT into a small room at 102 Pliny Street- the Transitional housing (subsidized apartments)of MSP?

It was told that the building was on fire, which is not true; we know that Administration did not want to pay rent at two locations, so they pick themselves to be away from the agency, which a lot of people feel that this stealing from the homeless, spending money at Arbor St. We do give credit for covering up their actions to make them look good.

What happened to giving back to the community, like MSP used to do?

When Sister Judy Beaumont and Karen Bartis was at MSP--when they were in position & in charge, they always helped the homeless, but also those in the community in need of getting food for their families. and even their employee's when they are in need

Now, we are told that the new person, Executive Director, Diane Paige-Blondet have depleted this part of the outreach in the community.

We've learned through the community grapevine that the Ex. Director is allegedly trying to get rid of the shelter altogether IN TWO WEEKS!!

She has stopped certain policies and procedures that aided the shelter; we believe she is in hopes of letting the State shut down the shelter on its own!

The way things are now how will a mother with a newborn is homeless and no where to go, which was the reason MSP Shelter only take newborns.

We as a community, and ex-clients & affiliates of My Sisters' Place, need to help get the shelter back on its feet where it uses to be.

It is not hard so to simply walk to the door and say I came to volunteer and be greeted with a smile and told to come on in. Instead, there is no compassion or organization or courtesy when you do so.

They have to fill out an application like they are being hired for a job, when it took a small sheet for info on the person. It's a shame that a lot of donors from day one when MSP started has stop because of the new administration and the people under it in supervisory positions.

A friend of mines was just in the shelter at the new location on Pliny St. and felt everything has change from what she heard the agency once stood for.

The treatment from the program directors, the mood and atmosphere has been much tensed.

Now, the staff cannot cook for the clients any more and when food donor's deliver food for the shelter, some staff will eat the food before the residents in the shelter, this is stealing from the homeless, taking donations for themselves.

Shelter to use to get gift cards for the women in need of medications, pampers, baby formula, etc.

There are some things that need to be connected to serve the people in need, especially inside the agency. Why the director did not come or open up to the community to have volunteers to help like it used to be? Sounds like this was bad planning!

Also, she stated that the staff is not being treated too well. Higher level management shows unprofessional conduct and cause strife and arguments with the residential aides on shift in front of the clients. T

he Staff who works the overnight shift is not there any more. So now, the agency is using security guards to monitor 2nd & 3rd shift??

Who wants to talk to security in the middle of the night when you're going through something, especially if the security guards are men?

Also, they (guards) are not qualified individuals to handle social issues of the client's needs. Many of the women have been beaten or sexually exploited- How can the women and children feel safe? It is easier and safer to talk to the staffs, who give more comfort and understanding of your situation.
The shelter is in need of advocates not only for the clients/residents also for the staff who does and handles the hardest and toughest situations then those in administration; even though we are homeless we are not stupid.

Also, if this administration cared for the women in the Transitional Program as well, why do some of the women moved out over the weekend when there is only Security on duty, because they are tired of being mistreated by certain staff members.

We are supposed to be there for them and not add on to the burden that they already have. Also, not to steal from the homeless.

Now that MSP. Inc has a Union (ICWUC-International Chemical Workers Union Council); this Administration is trying to get rid of the Union in a slick way.

(A faithful employee who has been at My Sisters' Place for 14 years and has a strong heart in helping all of the women and children in shelter, as well in the Transitional Program, who always do for others before herself and within the last six years everyone know that she has been going through a lot of health issue with some of it pertaining to her hard work at the shelter in always lifting heavy items and making sure everyone is treated right, she has been fired because of her situation of going through 7 surgery's which she would give them an update of her situation, and they kept that same position for another employee for two years.

She is upset with herself because she did not filed for Workmen Comp, because she never would have believe that the person who is Executive Director now, said that she was her friend would do this to her.

She has done every job at MSP, from the Executive Director to the cleaning lady, and before this last surgery she went back to work after surgery on her arm and wrist, the client's in the shelter told her, that administration is changing her position from Sr. RA to Desk Staff and they was upset because the Union told them that they cold not downsides my paycheck, we all know that this how Administration is trying to get rid of the Union, but they blame it on the economy. And her because she don't have a degree, but they always call her for help.

She was the first Executive Administration Assistant at MSP and the only reason why she left this position is because of the Administration when they change job titles, and told them that she will not lie for them or change legal documents. The main reason she work at MSP is for the women.

This person used to be a client and went back to volunteer when Sister Judy Beaumont was the head of the agency. Even thought she don't have a degree, (which this administration do not want a person in a high paying position) her other jobs gave her Supervisor positions,
(1). Poor People Federation back in the early 1970's.supervised 12 people of Clerical Staff, never was fired, had high risk maternity leave


(2). Travelers Ins. Early 1980's Supervised 15 Temp Staff in Short/Long Term disability, was not fired family moved to New York and they were still willing for her to work there every day from New York-


(3). IRS, dealt with big companies in doing their income tax's, never fired left because of family situation and she also handle the whole business of her father who was a very good plumber, Currie & Son's and that was ever since she was 14 years old, and was on the Board of Directors at United Way for 2 years.


(4) MSP first job was Shift Supervisor at both location, Executive Director Assistant, Sr. Residential Assistant, Desk Staff.


And during the Ex. Dir. Asst. she did her job and the Directors, when we had this wonderful person as our interim Director Anna Myers, (May God keep her in blissful peace) who want her to take the position because she had her own business a Counselor to Executives, her and the Board President at the time and myself was doing interviews for a new one, she turned it down because her heart was with women and children, but she help out in doing grants and finding donors.

For her it is not about the money, which her other jobs paid better then MSP, she is there for the residents, to keep them encouraged and to help them in any situation, to be there for them if they just need to talk and to up lift their spirit when they are mistreated by staff and to help them to find a place to live and called other agencies that could help them.

She took a lot from this administration for the lies that was told to her and about her and she never confronted them about it because she know that GOD will deal with it and she thanks GOD for having her back in all of her situations doing her time at MSP and change her life as a forgiving person, she has always put Church first and job second and did not take care of herself because of her dedication to both and for this she will still pray that GOD bless MY SISTERS' PLACE and also the people in charge that they will see for themselves that this the worst administration MSP has dealt with.

Not even giving out Christmas bonus, but some stale one tray of cookies for the whole staff.

Number one reason why MSP staff got a Union, because of Administration always planning things to mistreat staff and not focus on helping the women in need, not creating nothing or plan on interacting with other agency's, and laying off a staff because of a lie that was told on this staff and administration never investigated the situation.

Not paying a staff person who was on call over the weekend because of administration, to help assist Contractors into shelter when the building got flooded. Also, for three years no one got a raise, but administration.

Not allowing the staff to go to a Board Meeting, which was able to in the pass, staff is kept in the dark about a lot of things, each site was given their budget sheet, that's not being done now. Right now MSP is a mess, and we hope pray fully that it change for the good and not disappear from the community.


Even when there is a function for MSP, the staff was never invited, was always told the day of the event, because they knew that the staff of the shelter will tell the truth about this administration.

We all agreed that My Sisters' Place needs to be investigated.


Why would you pay a $100,000 contract with Murphy Security, when you had reliable staff that was always there for the women 24/7, when they needed to vent/talk out their issues. MSP has always had good staff until this new administration started to abuse the staff until the Union came.

Now they are eliminating all shifts in the shelter to get rid of the Union.

Why would you shut down a shelter that was safe for women and children and steal from the homeless?

Think About it, why would Staff at a non-profit program ask for a Union?Sincerely,
A Homeless Mom
A Community Activist;
Ex-Client of MSP;
A Concerned Citizen
Ex-Staff Member
10 Comments
By Liza on April 28, 2009 5:24

when i thought there couldn't be anything more for me to worry about....:rolleyes:

What kind of work do you do, Kimberlee?

That woman needs a proofreader, pronto. It hurt my eyes and head reading the editorial, especially towards the end - I read the whole thing. But back to the matter on hand... Holy cow. What the hell happened?? Wow. :eek: That is so sad... MSP sounds like it was a fabulous place for women in need to go to, at first. Shelters for people in need are the last thing I would think of to become as corrupted as they have gotten. Jeez. I wish I knew what else to say. :(

i'm the "ill trained"security guard at the homeless shelter aforementioned in the Courant piece. but i use the phrase security guard loosely. theres 2 types of security guards. type a. is the mall cop type, complete w/ dorky uniform. duties include - protecting people/property, observing and reporting, doing "tours", watching surveillance monitors etc etc. basic stereotype of what one might think of one and then theres type b: basically a glorified office clerk for corporate sites that hire us for work more along the lines of clerical duty when they don't want to hire someone and pay them benefits (i'm subcontracted) - answering phones/receiving accepting packages/signing people in and out. i would be classified under the latter, though i've had experience with the former type too.

at my sisters place, i answer phones, do inital intake application for prospective clients, receive donations, dispense basic need items to clients such as hygiene products/pillows/blankets, conduct bed checks in the shelter area, report any disturbances or incidents of noncompliance among the clients, respond to emergency situations that may arise - medical/criminal/fire etc.

although i can not refute all of her claims, she is very misleading about many other aspects. aside from the corruption she speaks of, she has a way of painting the homeless as helpless. theres a difference.

now i am not speaking about all homeless people, obviously there are always a number of circumstances for every individual situation, but i can say firsthand that she flips the script when it comes to the "poor treatment" the clients at OUR shelter allegedly receive.

these people enter our program and agree to many conditions in order to receive the privelege of being housed in our subsidized apartments. The clients agree to this, they agree to anything, actually, to get their foot in the door. but once they move in, its a different story. they immediatley start breaking curfew (11pm sounds pretty fair to me), skip group meetings and life skill classes (3 hours a week) that are mandatory to stay in the program.they are required to do 20 hours of either work/schooling or volunteering and DON'T.

now all that may sound strict given that these people are grown adults, but again it is A PROGRAM. the point of the program is to give them structure, a sense of responsibility and accountability and tools to help them make it out in the real world, cause obviously they weren't cutting the mustard in the lives they were leading previously.

what mistreatment have they suffered? they were given loads of presents at xmas by many private citizens as well as corporate donors and needy orgs. the shelter also makes sure every kid and mother gets a present on their birthday. this past fall alone, they were given FREE tickets to the big e, a barnum and bailey circus and a tina turner concert. what did they do??...they came back from the last 2 events and complained they had bad seats!

they complain about the food that is donated. "spaghetti again?" "i don't like pizza" etc. i mean, really, be lucky you have food to eat!

they are given free college educations with grants from the shelter.

its just ridiculous the allegations she makes. i had one client who was so mad she could only have visitors at certian hours that her b/f scaled the side of the building with a rope and climbed into her 2nd floor apartment!!! she was discharged from the program the very next day and rightly so.


they absolutley broke the spirit of my immediate supervisor there. shes gone out of her way to help these people, she puts her heart and soul into it, you can just see it in her eyes how rewarrding she finds her job but what did she get in return - investigated by dcf for false claims by a spiteful client who was penalized for breaking rules. incidentally, she was just found innocent and justly so after months of investigation.


the woman who wrote this is a disgruntled ex employee with an agenda. as far as my position goes, she knows little of which she speaks, i was thoroughly and vigorously trained for my position there and i give my all every day in my work. not only have i been an exemplary employee - always on time, always willing to work overtime, hardly calling out or taking days off, doing my work efficiently - but i've also donated my personal money to the shelter as well as my time, off the clock.

i'm surprised the courant would print this without investigating and validating these claims.

as for the theft, i can safely say that yes, i have seen it go on firsthand. though its not as rampant as she alleges, any theft should be taken seriously and urgently handled. as far as how actual money is handled thats the main offices concern, i do not work over there so i can't give an honest opinion. although my immediate supervisor is always complaining the main office is super secretive about the budget when it comes to her ordering and re-ordering items to stock the shelter and other fiscal matters, so it is plausible ....

This article sounds like what you said it was, Kim, "a disgruntled ex-employee with an agenda". She is definitely suffering from a bad case of sour grapes. It sounds like you guys do some really important work there. It's a shame that more people aren't thankful, but sadly that is just the way some people are. They are never happy with that they have. They just go around thinking about what they don't have and want.

You really like your boss, don't you? I've noticed you say some really nice things about her in other threads. A good boss or bad boss is the difference between a good or bad job. The job is only as good as the boss is. I've had some really great bosses and some really not so great ones. I'm sorry that she is feeling unappreciated right now. She deserves better. You sound like a really great employee yourself.

I read the Courant's version of the piece and it seems a lot of people on their response board agree with you, Kimberlee - this woman who wrote the letter seems to not know how to write or express herself, yet she gets her article written up (and not edited, no less) in the newspaper.

If I were to take someone's side on this issue, it would definitely be yours. The woman who wrote the article sounds vindictive and jumps from one complaint to the next - and she cannot seem to substantiate her claims on her own, so I think she's the one with the problem - NOT the shelter and DEFINITELY NOT you. In my opinion, it does not take a college degree to sit down and listen and be there to hear out the problems and issues of a homeless or battered woman, it simply takes a strong heart of gold - and a good ear - to make it happen.

I agree with Mike and Joni. This woman who wrote this article obviously had an agenda. It sounds like a lot of good people, including you and your boss, are giving of yourselves and doing some very important work at the shelter. Don't let one angry woman or the lack of gratitude of some clients stop you from making a difference in peoples lives. I really admire what you are doing!

Yikes - ouch. I wouldn't worry too much, Kim - just keep on doing your job the best you can. That's all you can do!! :bighug:

That woman needs a proofreader, pronto. It hurt my eyes and head reading the editorial, especially towards the end - I read the whole thing.
No ****...I was just about to say the same thing. Sorry, but I can't take anyone who publishes something like this (with the air that they are intelligent) that has this many STUPID errors, seriously.

Case in point:

When Sister Judy Beaumont and Karen Bartis was at MSP--when they were in position & in charge, they always helped the homeless, but also those in the community in need of getting food for their families. and even their employee's when they are in need

Now, we are told that the new person, Executive Director, Diane Paige-Blondet have depleted this part of the outreach in the community.


WOW....FAIL.

Kim, just keep doing the job you are doing. I am rooting for you that it will be OK.

It sounds like some of these people should have a little gratitude for what they have been given. The woman who wrote the article definitely has an agenda, not to mention bad prose (I can't believe The Hartford Courant, one of the oldest, most respected newspapers in the country, would let this letter be published unedited :rolleyes: )

That woman needs a proofreader, pronto. It hurt my eyes and head reading the editorial, especially towards the end - I read the whole thing. But back to the matter on hand... Holy cow. What the hell happened?? Wow. :eek: That is so sad... MSP sounds like it was a fabulous place for women in need to go to, at first. Shelters for people in need are the last thing I would think of to become as corrupted as they have gotten. Jeez. I wish I knew what else to say. :(

I agree on the proofreader part it hurt my eyes too.

Yikes - ouch. I wouldn't worry too much, Kim - just keep on doing your job the best you can. That's all you can do!! :bighug:

I agree just keep doing your job and try to ignore the article.

mike - yes, i love my boss and think very highly of her. shes from missouri and has all those wholesome midwestern downhome values. as a guard i've been assigned to many sites where they consider their security personnel as the low man on the totem pole. they use us as the scapegoat for any and all problems that arise whether we have a hand in them or not, and also as a doormat. because even though we are assigned to a site and are working for them, they don't treat us as one of them. my boss, is different. she treats me like she does the rest of her staff and often confides in me business info as well as info on her personal life. i've been there a year and a half now, it is the longest i've ever stayed at a site. at past sites, usually after only 6 months i'd ask for a transfer because of the mistreatment and harsh office politics but i'm happy as a lark where i am and its because of her.

joni - i came to the same opinion you did. like you said, it was more like a list of unsubstantiated grievances from a bitter ex employee. maybe if she backed up her claims with some proof she would have came across more credible. and i totally agree with you - you don't need a college degree to be able to listen to someone elses problems. all you need is compassion, understanding and as you said a good listening ear. i've had plenty of women come to me in the time i've been there, confiding to me their problems. i've had women wake up, and walk down to my office when they couldn't sleep at night just to talk so i don't know what shes talking about.

steve - i was glad to get an opinion from "home" on this. i was real disappointed with the courant, though not surprised, i think the paper has really gone down the toilet in the past couple years, they don't seem to be on top of things as they used to be and have lost some of their integrity. they laid off the majority of their reporters and rely on the ap (associated press) for their stories. when that ape story in stamford, ct broke, i was appalled to see most ofthe articles regarding it were from the ap and not local reporters.

thank you marvin, monika & browneyes for the encouragement. it can be hard to stay enthusiastic and devoted to your work when you're faced with so much adversity but when i see the little kids in the shelter who have warm bed at night and a roof over their head, a meal in their tummy and a teddy bear to clutch it is worth it.