Following a Virginian-Pilot investigation, the CEO and board of directors of the LGBT Life Center intend to implement some functional changes.
Perhaps after 22 years, I am still learning and developing in this position.” Leading a nonprofit company company is not without its challenges. It’s embarrassing to be called difficult or accused of encouraging a toxic work environment, and I do n’t take it lightly, especially when our community and staff are expected to always receive the best care, according to LGBT Life Center CEO Stacie Walls.
The blog post on its web from October 30 was sent as a communication from Walls and the board of directors and was also included in an email newsletter. When asked for comment, a Life Center agent directed The Captain to the blog post.
In The Passenger’s analytical story, which was published on September 27, the blog post addressed a number of claims made by former employees and board members. Many claimed that Walls created a toxic work environment that was impervious to individual input and that the nonprofit organization’s closure of the Norfolk center, high turnover, and financial management issues were harming the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. A former pharmacy program partner sued the volunteer, and a previous housing case manager asserted that clients had been left with unpaid rent and utility bills.
The Norfolk-based LGBT Life Center has long provided the Hampton Bridges LGBTQ+ area with a variety of services, such as housing, medical care, and guidance. Former coworkers, clients, and community members have supported Walls ‘ management and the volunteer in The Captain research because she has long been an outspoken activist for the group.
Walls stated in the article that the company upholds a solid history of financial responsibility because it is subject to yearly audits and rigorous grant monitoring. Its enclosure program, which serves 270 homeowners each month, she claimed, is safe. We acknowledge that there was a difficult transition for our finance and bill paying service that may have resulted in late obligations at times, but we strived to correct that for the cover safety of our clients, she said in the article, referring to growing pains during the pandemic’s growth.
After speaking with sponsors, employees, and other group partners, Walls stated that LGBT Life Center is taking a number of steps, including:
- Establishing a position as spokesman for human resources managers, which did “implement and form policies and procedures, employee development, and HR compliance,” according to the job description. Former workers complained to The Pilot that they had nowhere to voice their concerns because there was n’t a human resources department.
- creating an onboarding commission and redesigning the coaching process for new hires.
- re-founding a number of employee groups that may contribute to achieving the group’s diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.
- conducting an inner employee weather review and informing the board of directors of the findings.
- releasing an annual statement with details on performance and services.
- choosing a number of new committee members and holding another coaching program for the organization.
Walls pledged in the blog to make ongoing advancements for the volunteer and the neighborhood.
Walls stated,” We all share the responsibility of making this business a better place to work, and I’m doing my best to set an case.”
Florida-based CAN Community Health filed a$ 1.1 million lawsuit against The Life Center in May. Following the failure of a substance system agreement with the Life Center, CAN claimed in court papers that it is owed the funds. In a comment filed on September 22 in Norfolk Circuit Court, LGBT Life Center denied that it had broken their contract or owed CAN$ 1.1 million. The response does not specify how, but Life Center asserted that CAN first violated the agreement and that it was illegal because it violates valid law.
The existence of the complaint does not reflect crime by the Life Center, according to Walls in the blog post.
Regarding the closing of the Ghent office, Walls claimed that the company outgrew the area and that there were parking and maintenance issues there. Former employees claimed that the patient’s closure cut off service to a group of lower-income, underprivileged residents. Services were relocated to the nonprofit’s 5360 Robin Hood Road managerial practices.
Former Life Center housing case manager Alexia Kaelber expressed his appreciation for the steps being taken but said it was n’t enough in a text message in response to the suggested changes. He demanded that Walls resign, claiming that new administration was required.
I do n’t think the LGBT Life Center is currently transparent, consistent, or safe, despite what the community owes it, according to Kaelber.
In a word text, former board member Christian Strange added that” a whole re-org is needed at this point to have any profound change.”
Trevor Metcalfe, 757, 222, 5345,Trevor www.metcalfe@pilotonline .com
