August 2021 by Nancy S.
Because their mission is similar to A Resting Place Ministry, Inc., (ARPM, Inc.) a partnership was established with A Child's Place (another nonprofit organization) via Anthony Jones and Erin Morris at Thompson Child and Family Focus in March, 2021. In June, via email, I reached out to the two of them because according to our agreement, Erin "will communicate with me by phone at minimum every 60 days or earlier as families moves into the appropriate stage of the program to access available funds..." I asked if my assumption that to date, no family had met the requirements was correct? Via email (6/28) Erin informed me that she had transitioned into a new position and they had an interim leader but recently brought on a new Program Supervisor for A Child's Place. She further stated that that "she would have an update and connect me with the new Program Supervisor this week."Via phone contact (6/29) and a follow-up email (6/30), I expressed my concerns to Anthony Jones, Chief Operations Officer. My concerns were: 1) the terms of our agreement, as noted, has not been met; 2) I wish one or both of you had reached out to me instead of vice versa; and 3) a contact at the time the decision was made for Erin to transition into a new position would have been ideal and appropriate. Additionally, it is noteworthy that at this point, another term has not been met; namely, " A Resting Place will receive quarterly updates on families that have been served through ACP." I also thanked him for his transparency as he stated that the ball was dropped and he was going to have to eat this one. To ensure that the ball isn't dropped again, I asked him to please advise as to where we go from here. In response, Mr. Jones indicated that "he did follow up with Erin and they will be in touch with me on where we are currently with supporting families per your criteria, and introducing you to the new director."The following was noted in the report received via email on 7/9: 1) for March-May, six families had benefited from the funding; 2) "...We still have funds available to assist an additional family, already identified, in the latter part of July, 2021...."; and 3) "...look forward to proactive communications, per the agreement, moving forward...". Thus, according to the agreement, Mrs. Morris would have communicated with me in March-May thereby giving ARPM, Inc. opportunities to give input as needed. I informed them that I was looking forward to the information for the July family so that we could close out our records for the March, 2021 donation. As of the 8/13 email, this has not happened; neither has there been any "proactive communications"; and I have not been put in contact with the new Program Supervisor.I felt confident that we were on the same page as I made it known on several occasions (i.e. telephone contacts with Mrs. Morris and/or Mr. Jones and at our face-to-face meeting on 3/16) that ARPM, Inc. wanted to be kept in the loop along the way and not receive report(s) after the fact. If Thompson Child and Family Focus could not honor our agreement; then, the "generous donation" of $15,000 should not have been accepted by Mr. Jones (3/23/21) or subsequently, returned to ARPM, Inc. immediately.Of the four key persons receiving the 8/13 email, only Mrs. Morris responded. She apologized; expressed appreciation for the donation; and noted that while the donation was not documented according to the agreement, it increased their ability to help a total of seven families. Helping families was never the issue; rather, the bottom line is Mr. Jones' desire was honored. That is, ARPM, Inc. was not kept in the loop along the way. Regrettably, as discussed, future donations to A Child's Place via Thompson from ARPM, Inc. will not be forthcoming.Nancy S. Charlotte, NC NOT SoMa, San Francisco, CA
