video: John Hope Critics Turned Back at Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 09, 2014
A video showing "Concerned Citizens for John Hope" trying to voice their concerns about recently terminated employees at a board meeting Monday night shows them being turned back by Board Chair Anastasia Williams for an executive session
The event is the latest in a series of rallies held during the fall by the group -- who have demanded Williams' resignation -- to draw attention to what they say are issues with leadership at the House.
"I was terminated the day before Thanksgiving by William Bentley, who unbeknownst to me is our current chief administrator," said Ericka Gomes, who wrote to the board on December 1 to appeal her termination, and showed up to address the issues of termination at the board meeting.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I am writing in regards to my recent termination the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 26, 2014 by William Bentley. I feel this was a wrongful termination and my basic, human, and employment rights have been violated for some time. I ask that the board immediately reinstate me to my position and work to address the hostile and unsuitable work conditions that I’ve had to continually work under," wrote Gomes in her letter. "Pursuant to the John Hope Settlement House policies, I am exercising my rights to an appeal of my termination within 3 regular business days of operation. Please note holiday and regular closure on Friday of last week. I respectfully would ask that the board similarly respond back to me in writing within 3 business days."
House Issues Persist
Recent issues between community members and John Hope leadership under Williams were sparked by the removal of recent Executive Director Taino Palermo, who was replaced with former Pro-CAP head Frank Corbishley.
Since then, allegations of financial misconduct and safety issues have been been lodge -- and Williams has fired back at critics.
In her letter to the board, Gomes outlined the following;
"In my 8 year tenure at John Hope, having served the agency in two separate capacities, all of my performance reviews have been stellar, and I have no disciplinary actions on file. I have willingly exceeded the expectations of my job description to provide top-quality care to the children and families I have serviced. My work ethic is of high caliber and was never found to be substandard.
On Saturday, November 22, 2014 a mandatory staff meeting was held at the request of the JHSH Board Chair in the conference room of John Hope Settlement House (JHSH). It was at this meeting, where many of you board members were in attendance, that many critical subjects, facts, opinions, and feelings were revealed in a forum that was presented as an opportunity for staff to speak openly, and honestly.
Board Chair Ms. Williams opened the meeting with a very threatening tone, stating numerous times that there were staff sitting around the table that were sabotaging and stagnating the agency; were threatening her and other board members; and were "leaking" information from inside the agency to various sources including but not limited to DCYF, CACFP, and the media. Katherine Soares, a newly inducted board member, addressed Ms. Williams "tone" and said it was threatening and intimidating to staff, and hoped to get to the root of the problem and aid in finding a solution."
On Monday, the crowd of 15-20 supporters, which first gathered outside to protest the current leadership, then approached the board meeting where they were told by Williams they could speak after executive session.
"We actually left after 30 minutes," said community organizer Kobi Dennis. "We knew she would stall us out. We are going back as soon as we find out when the next board meeting will be."
Williams did not respond to request for comment following the meeting on Monday.
"We never voiced our concerns due to them going into exec session but NEXT TIME we won't let that be an option," said Gomes. "We will bring the media and press just like she did when Peter Lee and Nina Pande sat as Executive directors. They didn't pull a cowardly punk move like that when she bullied her way into their board meetings."
Related Slideshow: John Hope—Safety Violation Pics
The group Concerned Citizens for John Hope Settlement House brought the following pictures dealing with lack of safety to the attention of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.
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