Lantern House Shelter

1. 

   Elly

   Apr 2, 2020Reply

   When I first came to the Lantern House, I was terrified. I had never been homeless except for the other times I had attempted to leave my very abusive husband and I stayed at various women's shelter for domestic violence. I was actually crying as Tanner came over to talk to me and two family members from St. George. At first, because of great fear "A homeless shelter" and after as I continued to cry, it was in great relief as Tanner explained all of the opportunities available to help me get into a place of my own, but also, there were so many other services and benefits in place, I knew after talking to her, Everything was going to be alright. That I was safe, and it was exactly where I needed to be. As strange as it may sound, I was happier than I had been in many many years. Sadly, some don't realize that with domestic violence and abuse, many of us victims come to know a level of evil, that most never know exist. I tried very hard to fit in and he helpful, but I found there were many who didn't like that. Mostly security. They can be extremely disrespectful and degrading towards us. Some are even just mean because they can be. They didn't like to see any of us happy and would try to take it from us. Many played favorites. Giving away nice donations to those residence they liked best. I did everything right, but was denied help getting into my apartment according to Jill I didn't follow "the process" & therefore she refused to help me. What process? I did everything accordingly to the Lantern House guidelines. Then, one of the security made up a lie about me taking pants off someone's bed and giving them to someone else, but it was all a lie. No one was using that bed and it was a friend who had her clothing stored on this empty bed and she was the one who gave me her pants to give to a woman who didn't have any extra. No one would double check his story and relook at the video. Otherwise I would be cleared of any wrong doing. After, since my RV rights as a volunteer had been stripped and I came down stairs late after trying to pack up some of my things (I'm disabled and I don't move fast in the morning). They've given allowance to others getting ready to leave, I was reprimanded again by Orlando as he saw me come down late. He was always watching me on camera waiting for me to make a mistake so he could come chew me out. That happened often. So Orlando sent me to nightly for one night. That same day my bed was cleared and my belongings thrown out, but I still had until Wednesday before I was leaving. I had itt cleared with Kiani. I would be into my new place on Weds after the Christmas party. However, they didn't wait until Wednesday before throwing everything I owned from upstairs out. I was still staying at the shelter until Weds, but was sleeping in Nightly Monday night. What about a phone call before taking someone's belongings and discarding them? Much of it was brand new and I was going to wear my new dress to the party. I lost hundreds of dollars worth of most of the clothing I owned to my whole name. Also, as an RV, security never respected your position or the fact that you donate all the hours you put in. I averaged 35 hours a week as an RV. You would think I had earned some level of gratitude for what I contributed? I didn't receive any help when I moved out. Not even a food box. How very sad for those of us who DO what they are supposed to do, but still miss out on rightful benefits just as anyone else who receives them!

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