Not a safe place at all!
The couple who run this place are used to dealing with mentally challenged children on a daily basis and can't seem to understand that the lies and tricks that they use on the children, the games of distraction and manipulation and various other forms of control tactics that allow them to have their way with kids, are not necessarily appropriate in an adult arena, especially in this case where people who are sometimes very mentally fragile come here for comfort and support, and trust this couple to lead them. The wife runs around covering her ears and screaming "That's my trigger! That's my trigger...! " whenever she hears a noise or if she just doesn't want to be bothered with you at that moment! She just came in off the street. I don't think she covers her ears and demands attention like this when she's at the grocery store, or in other surroundings. I've been outside with her, and there were many other "noises" out there and she ignored them, but in this space, she acts out her dramatics and makes everyone else in the room participate in that! The "husband" is a female to male in transition, and has convinced himself that screaming, cursing and using many other forms of hyper masculinity is necessary and appropriate in this environment, simply because he's in charge and can do whatever he wants! Recently, I needed a support letter. They refused to give me something satisfactory and insisted that it would go against HIPPA laws! Ridiculous! Then they came back and insisted that they can show me some of their "rules" on their computer where it says that they can't write a letter on my behalf even at my request that would speak about why I was in this support group, even if it's only reciting what I've told them. No one had asked them to bear witness to anything. I wasn't asking anything more. They didn't expect that I'd call their bluff and accept their invitation to see what they said they'd pulled up on the computer - but I did call their bluff! They could never produce it because it was all a lie! Day after day I asked if they'd found it, but they were "busy". Here we go with those games that work with kids. I'm not anybody's child. I'm 60 years old, and I'm now watching them again try to convert the conversation into....., now we're waiting for some "imaginary" man to write something better for me. Of course, that never materialized either! I wasn't letting them get away with that little game of distraction. I reminded them that "I'm" still waiting to see what they said they were going to show me on the computer about their bylaws, but now, as another attempt at distraction and deflection, they begin attacking my character by suggesting that "I" should be worried about somebody blacklisting me for having so many problems wherever I go! I said, For what? Why would I be blacklisted for holding people accountable for abusing me or discriminating against me? Now, they're throwing in my face the 3 incidents that I had shared with them here in this "support group!" I'd shared with them that I'd gotten attacked by a security guard at a local chain store and that another customer called the police and the guard was arrested and taken to jail. I'd also shared that I'd been sexually assaulted by a counselor of over twenty years, and that I'd also been discriminated against and denied employment with a city agency because I'm disabled and that the supervisor had even gone so far as to lie on paper - but I have the evidence that she lied! Why would this "support group leader" throw that all up in my face as if the victim is at fault, especially when all I was doing was calling them out on their lies, insisting that they produce what they'd said they had, but they couldn't. They lied. They lied, lied, again, and then lied some more! Then to attack your members character just to try to change the subject and try to run away when you're caught is absolutely outrageous! Next thing I know, I'm getting cussed out, and told to GTFOOH and more! Naw...., this is not a safe space for anybody! No wonder hardly anybody comes there! E eryday, there is "check in." People either show up and hang out, or log in on line. So many times. Nobody had come but me. Nobody logged in. It's sad. The city could use more support groups for our community - just not this mess! I was horrified. I was so disappointed. I've never been back. Run! Not a safe place at all. read more
