Helpmate - Asheville, North Carolina

Matthew C.

I contacted Helpmate at the behest of the Family Justice Center for Buncombe county. Not knowing who they were, just that people kept referring to them and for me to call because I was the victim of DV.
My first call, they were borderline rude and told me that someone would be getting back in touch. A Therapist or Care Coordinator, with information regarding resources. No one ever called back. My second call, they were actually rude and tried to give me the line of, "getting back in touch with you", again. People can be busy, I'm fine with that. However this isn't the type of place you want people falling through the gaps. Before getting off the phone, I asked to speak to a Supervisor. To find out why there was no record of my first call at all and if someone would actually be getting back to me. The Supervisor apologized and promised someone would be getting back in touch. That line again. No one ever called.

I tried calling them directly and filing a complaint, the staff were very nice on the call. Yet again saying that someone would definitely be giving me a call back this time. Tried e-mailing the Director to file a complaint as well. To this date, no calls, no return e-mails.

So I was beaten, berated, bloody, and bruised, tried to call Helpmate for help, all while my ex is still in contact and trying to find me, (violating a restraining order). And Helpmate didn't help.

Now I understand that things happen. People in these places can forget or make mistakes. What I don't understand is why after three calls where they said in each that someone would be in touch, why has no one called back? Please be advised that when calling this Organization, they may do nothing for you. And try to have a second option or number to call for Help.

Thank you for your time.

Cynthia D.

11 years ago to the day these ladies saved my life.... I had my kids with me. They always helped me through my breakdowns, and helped me slowly at my own pace to live again. I will always tell my story and highly recommend this shelter... Ty for all that you do

Dharma L.

(Re: Continued from, "If I could, I would rate this agency a (-) star.") Needless to say - that after being put back out on the streets by this agency - by the time I walked up-hill blocks and blocks to the ER, which luckily wasn't TOO far from where I had been dropped off by the Lyft a nurse in the building so kindly called for me and paid for, with what I could carry on my back that was still incredibly heavy but yet did not want to leave my ‘most’ important items - like my laptop - behind, I felt I was possibly experiencing a cardiac episode from the palpitations and chest pains I was experiencing following all of the stress the negligent actions taken at this agency triggered - when I could have simply been properly informed of their cut-off shelter 'receiving time', found someone to help me pay for another night at my hotel room (which I tried not to burden yet another friend with), and consequently would have retained shelter and safety, would have had access to electricity to charge my phone and contact loved ones, and would have easily been able to avoid all of the needless anguish I was put through as a result of their lack of communication, lack of empathy, lack of conscientiousness & ethics, and their 'hurry' to leave the office at closing time without ANY regard for their client/victim.

Once I checked in at the hospital and was seen, I was told that I was possibly experiencing a panic attack - not coronary complications as I originally believed - and to my SHOCK was admitted into the psych ward instead of a regular room, which I did NOT have had to experience had this agency followed proper procedures. This place desperately needs to be AUDITED, and undergo a ‘risk-assessment evaluation’ - from what I've read on other client reviews - if they are PUTTING THE LIVES of vulnerable victims at risk rather than helping them to safety (in whatever form) as they claim on their website. This agency is a horrific - and prime example – of tax payer money and government funding that is allotted to social services going to pure waste - if not bordering - funding fraudulence.

I deeply feel for and am very sorry to/for everyone else who has posted a negative review on the failures and negative experiences they have had to go through with this agency – particularly the young lady who said she was pregnant and was also put out with her child and NO alternative resources, which is also SHAMEFUL! Again, as a social worker myself, I understand the NEED is IMMENSE and our national Social Service agencies are overwhelmed, but it is a MUST to follow proper protocol and AT LEAST provide a client with alternative resources and options if assistance cannot be provided, instead of rushing to get out the door because it’s 5 PM and consequently leaving victim’s helpless and stranded because they do not wish to be inconvenienced and held back a few minutes to do so. I’ve NEVER done that to a client… because when you go into this field, you take an OATH to serve & protect, not keep checking your watch because the service time will soon expire and your doors will be shutting - especially on a victim. Those who are TRUE social workers know our job has NO TIME LIMIT. Otherwise, chose another career where you’re NOT dealing with vulnerable populations and instead, I don’t know, go work manufacturing ‘lifeless’ widgets. (Continued as J gonzal...)

**Note - Please be advised also that I recorded part of the aftermath once I left the agency's grounds here, if you'd like to see it for yourself:

https://youtu.be/xGhojH53SL0?feature=shared

southernbell841

They mostly just want your signatures to show the foot traffic so they can get their grants. Good luck getting the help they say they can do. Just a waste of time for me. They don’t even call you back with answers when they say they will.

Valerie R.

My experience with helpmate was less than stellar. I was seeking assistance, advice and/or guidance with securing my own residence in the Asheville area. I am new to the area and had been staying with an old friend (of nearly 40 yrs) who had opened a door to me for a fresh start in the South. After 5 months of platonic cohabitation it became obvious my roommate is suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness. I had hoped to not only obtain help for myself but also help him find the mental help he needs. He was like a brother to me.

What actually happened is I received some very bad advice/guidance from Sarah Gann, who works out of the Buncombe County Court office. While she is very sweet and exhibited compassion and empathy about my well being. I am here to recommend she receives more training on legal matters. She encouraged me to file an ex parte order something I had never done before. Since she seemed to be knowledgeable I extended trust. In my living situation the gaslighting & bullying I was experiencing was off the hook and taking a very real toll on me. I wasn't sleeping or eating well having been in survival mode for 5 months. Clearly I was not at 100% at the time I put myseslf in front of her. The bad advice she gave me is a direct result of her inexperience with the law in NC. Since I am new to the state there was much I was not aware of. As a result of her inexperience my abuser was able to flip script on me, obtain an ex parte order order against me in another county. In addition and to add insult to injury, he also filed fictious assault charges on me, how does something like this happen?! Where did I choose to move to!? It is beyond my comprehension there is any state in our country that allows such charges to be filed bases purely on "he said, she said" calling it antiquated is minimal at the best. I do not recommend anyone seek help from this group until there staff have been trained more stringently.

J. G. L.

(Had to change accounts again to continue my review since it is pretty lengthy but of UTMOST importance, so please be advised and continue reading. TY.) The whole ordeal was incredibly traumatic for me – after all I have endured already and reported during the assessment they conducted on me – and I not only had to return home even MORE vulnerable because I did not have my firearm and then couldn’t sleep from the indescribable anxiety and feelings of vulnerability as a result, but felt I returned home with worsened symptoms compared to the ones I was already experiencing when I first arrived at their door.

With all that being said, I must at least post a very special thanks to Chanelle – the ONLY true social worker at the agency (as our jobs are not dictated by time but by ‘client safety’), the other young lady who also stayed with me after I was put out on the streets whose name I did not get, and the Forensic Nurse from the building who cared enough as well to obtain a ride for me and attempt – even though I was turned away at that facility also – to get me some assistance and to safety.

Thank goodness I’m resilient & astute (I did a good job at concealing my valuables and to my relief where still there the following day when I was discharged from Mission Hospital), otherwise I could have potentially gotten robbed and possibly even re-victimized on the streets, all alone in a strange city where I did not know my way around nor had a cell phone to GPS/navigate my way through, and hauling my incredibly heavy belongings in the middle of the night. I have to admit that I feel re-victimized by the actions taken at this agency and will be sure to bring the attention of local or state governing bodies towards this highly neglectful, dangerous, and volatile matter and that of the agency’s putting vulnerable victims – as others have reported in their reviews as well, not just me – in harm’s way and at GREATER risk. Again, as a social worker – it’s MY duty, and which 'I', like the other health care professionals I mentioned, take very serious.

Emma R.

Helpmate helped me tremendously over the course of dealing with my 50B and I couldn’t be more thankful. They called me to check up on me frequently through the process, they helped me get connections to lawyers, And They helped me mentally cope with everything dealing with the restraining order even helped me get counseling. I couldn’t be more thankful. I Specifically want to thank Megan from Helpmate she is a wonderful court advocate and Helped me through this Mentally stressful Time. I recommend their services to anyone.

Lauren E.

Just like most of the “services” offered to those who are homeless, in crisis, or in need of any kind of rehabilitation, Helpmate cannot actually resolve an issue- especially not outside of normal business hours. If one doesn’t have a phone, a way to get to the shelter within the small, 2-hour check-in frame, or the proper credentials, then they cannot get in. Helpmate also does not offer relief to those domestically abused by their “families”. It is only for “romantic partners”, as stated directly by several Helpmate employees. I guess they think abuse is romantic? Should probably fire the whole lot and get more funding. Sad. I would say “try elsewhere”, but after extensive research and some personal experience, there isn’t anywhere else. The bunks in these places (once again- referring to all Asheville area services and not just Helpmate) don’t even have privacy curtains. Just really, really sad. Crying sad. For real. I’ve cried about it.