Friends For All has been a deeply painful and frustrating experience over the past three years.
During this time, I repeatedly submitted grievances regarding staff behavior, including what I experienced as discriminatory language and treatment, including homophobic slurs. These concerns were consistently ignored or not meaningfully addressed, which left me feeling dismissed and unsupported.
Instead of resolution, I experienced ongoing conflict, inconsistent communication, and what felt like being treated as a problem rather than a person in need of support. This contributed heavily to my isolation and worsening mental health during an already difficult period of homelessness and instability.
Two staff members in particular, Patrice (Rec Room Manager) and her supervisor T'shaka Chambers, were central figures in my experience. I felt that their handling of situations often escalated distress rather than resolving concerns, and I experienced their approach as significantly harmful to my well being.
There also appeared to be a pattern where concern or support was expressed until issues were questioned or reported, after which communication became strictly procedural or dismissive. This inconsistency made it difficult to trust the support system that was supposed to be in place.
As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I also experienced this loss of support as the loss of what was once a safe space. Over time, that sense of safety and belonging disappeared, leaving me feeling isolated during an already vulnerable period of my life.
I am sharing this because I believe accountability, consistency, and respectful treatment are essential especially in spaces meant to serve vulnerable communities. read more