Women describe poor conditions at STAND! women's shelter
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- It is supposed to be a place of safety, support, and comfort, but a shelter for abused women is being accused of letting those women down. In fact, some of the women who've been there say they feel victimized again by the very people who were supposed to help.
"Me and my children were being abused. We didn't have anywhere to go," Chana said.
Chana is a single mother, a survivor of domestic abuse who moved into an emergency shelter in Contra Costa County in November 2013.
It's run by an agency called STAND! For Families Free of Violence and it receives more than $5 million annually in government grants and private donations.
"I know there's not very good food in the emergency shelter. Sometimes it's very old. Old bread that's about two weeks old, and there's no baby food for the babies over there. It's really disgusting and unsanitary. There's no mattress covers on the mattresses," Chana said.
After a few months in the emergency shelter Chana applied for and was accepted into longer-term transitional housing.
That's when she says things got worse, especially after she reported to management that a staff member was stealing donated items meant for clients.
"I've seen verbal attacks from the staff. I've seen them yell and make accusations and lie. I've seen them kick women out with nowhere to go," Chana
"Now I'm not being abused by a man, I'm being abused by a system," Rachel said.
Rachel is also a survivor of domestic abuse. She and her two children are also in STAND!'s transitional program. Rachel told us she too has experienced intimidation, even bullying from staff.
"Just mental, mental abuse. It's like I'm still with my partner. I'm going to do what you tell me to do or else. I mean I came here for help. The last place I'd think I would be abused is here," Rachel said.
"That's a really serious allegation," said Gloria Sandoval.
Sandoval is STAND!'s longtime CEO and was herself a battered woman.
"I want you to know that the safety and security of our clients is of the utmost importance to me and hope to every person in this organization," Sandoval said. "When we get complaints, I want you to know that we investigate them and take them very seriously."
STAND!'s shelter is in an undisclosed location. On the emergency side, there are 24 beds. On the transitional side, there are apartments for nine families.
"It was the shelter of violence for me," 66-year-old Roz said.
Roz entered STAND!'s emergency shelter last August. She was there for five weeks.
"They're not educated enough. They have no compassion. They show you no respect when you go to complain about something. I have another five, six women that I could connect with you that had the same experience," Roz said.
"I brought my kids to STAND! to keep them safe and I feel like I'm back with my abuser. It's not right," Chana said.
All of the women we spoke with say they complained to their case workers and STAND! management. One client even wrote a letter to the editor published by the Contra Costa Times. All of them say their concerns have been largely ignored.
"They came there on the run. They came there with a bag of whatever. They need help there and they're not getting it," Roz said.
"Any client who has a concern with STAND! and the way we provide services is extremely concerning to me and I will continue to investigate any allegations that come our way," Sandoval said.
None of the women we talked with want STAND! to close its doors. They know firsthand the need is too great.
STAND! has been in Contra Costa County for more than 30 years. Last fall, it was one of just four agencies in the country to receive part of a $2.6 million grant, to help prevent domestic violence homicides.
