Nervous about retaliation, looking for support, but steeled in their resolve to get improvements. And yes, I was asked to blog this because they thought their letter might be too long for Street Pulse and didn’t know how else to get attention to this problem. There were multiple people involved in drafting this, but only one name is on it for obvious reasons. One night the writer was told by staff to not “rock this boat I am sitting in”, she left shelter that night and slept outside even thought it was a cold weather night (below 20 degrees).
Administration Madison Corp
3030 Darbo Drive
Madison, WI 5371411/17/14
Dear Mj Loren Carter, Dane County Coordinator & Melissa Sorenson Director Social Services, et al:
I am writing to discuss some very serious concerns I have regarding services provided (or NOT provided) by the Salvation Army Women’s shelter on 630 East Washington Avenue.
First and foremost, is the unavailability of homeless women to do laundry at this facility. People who work and are attempting to get out of the shelter are often strapped for money and time. Having clean clothes is extremely necessary not only to keep a job, but in getting one initially, aside from fighting the stigma of being homeless. The Madison Homeless Initiatives provides free laundry for the street homeless at a program called “Bubbles” at 701 East Johnson Street Self Serve Laundry. While this service is free twice a week, it is for people without resources to do their laundry any other way. NOT as a replacement for an agency that should be providing this service to their service population. If Salvation Army doesn’t want to provide laundry availability to their clientele (as it rightfully should) then I would expect Salvation Army to contribute funds to keep this service going. It does not. It unfairly monopolizes services and volunteer time that should be provided by Salvation Army staff and facilities. When there is a need in the community and people try to meet this need, it isn’t so an already existing service can provide LESS. Women have to do their laundry on two scheduled days 9-1:00 and working women, if they can manage, have to haul all their laundry with them all day. It seems to be just another way to make it difficult for women to get back out on their feet.
Secondly, direct staff at Salvation Army would benefit from education on dealing with severe mental Health issues and conflict resolution as they effect the safety and welfare of other women in the shelter. Increased monitoring of residents needs and actions is necessary as well as wise. Policy and procedures need to be in place and consistently enforced to deal with potentially dangerous situations to ensure the safety those staying at the shelter. Police intervention should be the last resort, as even Sheriff Mahoney admits that the jail is not prepared to deal humanely with those having severe or chronic mental illness.
Finally, my last concern is the health hazards a person is exposed to while staying at Salvation Army shelter. The very real fear is the proven prescence of contagious diseases. Currently there is a person staying there with a documented case of C. Diff, a very contagious intestinal “super bug” that causes extreme diarrhea. In addition, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Scabies, Venereal crabs, bed bugs, head lice, HIV, Hepatitis are very real fears and have presented in the recent past. Having adequate cleaning supplies and professional sanitation is a necessary step in preventing the spread of these.
Relying on residents to clean adequately is not appropriate due to the continuum of individual knowledge, daily living skills, motivation and responsibility. Professional cleaning of the air ducts of dust and molds would be recommended due to the air quality that exacerbates asthma, sinus problems and contribute to the spread of colds and flu. Eradication of pests needs to be addressed by administration. Those pests personally observed are RATS and Mice on the premises, but also internal pests such as bedbugs.
To summarize, all these issues are what prevent many people from utilizing shelter services. The shelter needs to be more than a roof over our heads and warmth, it needs to be where people can begin to get back on their feet by getting a shower, change clothes (into CLEAN CLOTHES), to have a SAFE and HEALTHY environment, to be free from harassment and get a good nights’ sleep. Needs should be met by allowing supervised laundry, mandatory wearing of masks when ill, routine professional sanitation of the common areas of the facility, improvement of air quality and ventilation, closer monitoring of inappropriate/threatening behaviors, and provision of at least minimal solutions for hygiene concerns i.e. shower shoes should be provided at all times for every resident to prevent foot and toenail fungus, cleaning supplies and gloves to deal with blood and bodily fluids and shampoos for head lice, as well and routine testing for transmittable diseases.
I speak for many women who, in the past and currently have utilized Salvation Army Shelter, however reluctantly.
Truly and adamantly,
Sharon Gulseth, B.S.W
Currently residing at 630 East Washington
I advocate & volunteer for people with mental health problems, housing/ homelessness issues, food shortage issues, and general health care issues. These struggles often overlap with poverty. Training for crisis intervention & deescalation and skills to create a Trauma-informed environment for staff to benefit clients. Training staff & volunteers on Mental Health First Aid will help.
If the building is decrepit as you suggest, I encourage you to engage some of the visitors, some of the volunteers, new & old, staffers to coordinate w/ the SA and attempt to fund raise & collect services.
The SA is a non-profit that fills needs others refuse. Engaging in a positive conversation about how ALL can grow together and serve each other is better than knocking down an organization serving the poor for many years. Encourage a road to peace and joy for the people serving and being served-not the pain and suffering they hope to move beyond.