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Seriously?
First off, all non-profits in Portland are filled with incest, homogonized group think, and only give jobs to their 'friends' whom they met back at age 14 in high school. With that said, the place is run by persons mimicking a group of high school junior high adolescents. Essentially, 'business as usual' here. Can't change anything, or it may affect a person's job security, or dare I say oust their 'friend' out of employment. So, bottom line is that they are bottom line oriented for themselves first - to keep their own jobs.
In terms of having an organizational goal or theme, there is none at Rose Haven. It is extremely dangerous to mix the general public with women who are involved with abusive relationships! Extremely dangerous and unsafe.
Having no discretion for those who enter into their space, Rose Haven will allow for ad hoc, non-tailored services which claim to 'attempt' to meet people's needs. Rose Haven, in essence, will always 'fail' to meet the specialized needs of each person, because it sees people as 'clients' and uses very generic 'intake' forms.
See someone as a 'client' and you own them. Period. The End.
Walk in here, and Rose Haven is your owner - period.
Keep in mind that even two people with the SAME type of ailment, such as two people who are hard of hearing or two people who are un-housed each have very different needs. Rose Haven fails MISERABLY at talking to people intimately enough to find out truly what their needs are and what the barriers are. I am sure a number of women who come here already know that - they simply just need a bus pass for the month or some help paying for fuel for their car. Why not help with monthly bus passes or give out gas cards? That's humane!
The employees at Rose Haven talk AT you, as opposed to TO you. Employees use generic, 'intake sheets' which ask demographic information. Those 'intake sheets' are more for them to help secure a current or potential financial grant, as opposed to getting to know what you need or why you walked in that day.
With all the insincerity, why would you put truthful answers on an intake sheet and make yourself vulnerable to a stranger, who, in essence is using YOU as their job security. They need you to have a job, no?
Employees at Rose Haven answer hard and deep questions, such as, "where can I go for help if I am not addicted to drugs," with public relations phrases such as, "well, unfortunately there aren't enough services to meet everyone's needs." or "have you tried calling 211" or, "have you tried calling William Temple House?" or, when you get really deep, "actually, I have to go over here, (or get off the phone) to help another 'client.'" Yup. They want to go help a client who is a 'yes man' and who will not rock the boat with being human. Inquiry and curiosity are part of being human and 'awake.'
At Rose Haven, one is barred from being human. Shut up and have your kid color or get out.
If you ask a question such as, "what would you do if you were in my situation," you'll get a, "I'd use Transition Projects" or "I'd keep calling other numbers." You can tell the person answering has never even tried to call a social service number and attempt to be a person in need.
If you present a case of suffering, and include details, you will simply get a, "Those are valid points and concerns. Unfortunately, I am only one person." Well everyone is, simply, ONE PERSON. But, if ten people say that, the we have a group of "only one persons" who can, now make an attempt to do something useful with their time aka the real job they were hired to do....
In terms of transparency - evasion! When I inquired into their services via phone, a reception worker, would not even identify herself or give to me her name or job title. Really? What are you hiding? Are you afraid the public will know all your donations go to you and your friend's salary? Not to mention the heating/air conditioning bill? We already know that, and now more people will, with this review being up.
And, let's talk about showering. At Rose Haven one must obtain a 'shower ticket' before showering. What on earth are you thinking? Treat someone like a child, and they will act like one? Here's a snippet on their, 'Shower Program': http://rosehaven.org/services/showers/. I would elect not to shower, if you treated me like I was in a jail and told me how long I could shower (only 20 minutes)? Really?
Real freedom here, let me tell ya.
And, they have quite a number of volunteers - who likely have never been improvised in their lives. So, basically if you (a person in a difficult time) access Rose Haven's services, it is highly probable you will encounter a fellow 'community member' who sees you as lesser than they are. A fellow 'community member' NOT realizing ANYONE, at anytime could easily be in a position of needing help. Including them.
It's pathetic. This whole place. read more