The Salvation Army USA

I was on bed rest for three days, from. 3/5-3/7/2020 with pnuemonia. On 3/4 I went to Med North to see my Dr, Dr. Gibble, and she treated me for Pnuemonia. She provided me with a Note that the Salvation Army requested for me to be placed on bedrest until 24hrs after my fever of 101° broke. I missed work onf Friday 3/5/20. My fever finally broke on Monday, 3/8/20. I went to work that morning.
I did not, nor was I allowed to go outside the building all weekend as I was in "sick" status and quite frankly didnt even leave my bed but to get medications. I was asked by staff to wear a mask, as well, so I wouldnt get others sick.
Because I was placed on bedrest, with high fever, (101°), I tried to participate in the Life skills classes via doing the only worksheets I could obtain. I was told that I did not need worry about said classes because I was sick. I went out of my way, above and beyond, to try to complete my classes even though I was sick with a 101° temperature.
On Wednesday, March 11, 2020 I recieved a write-up for not completing the four classes as my responsability alots. I vehemently denied these allegations as I had a very good excuse for missing the one class and only completing three of the Life skills classes. I was told to write why I was unable tocomplete the for classes in the space provided and I did so. I was also told that the write up would be overturned because being sick does indeed excuse someone from their liability if it is documented by a Dr., as mine was. I also wrote the director a request asking if I could meet with her, along with my Easterseals Counselor, Alexis Wagoner, as I felt I was being taken advantage of for I have five disabilities.
Today, Thursday March 12, 2020, I was called by the Social Worker, Drew, and told that the note from the Dr was worthless and that it was only a write up. I told him that it was more about principle than anything at all and that I would not cease fighting thisuntil it was heard by someone who would listen and lend their compassion to my viable reasoning. He said it wouldntbe wise to upset the director and again said, "its just a write-up." At no time was my side even taken into consideration, nor did anyone give creedence to the Dr.s Opinion of which I went out of my way to procure.
After I got off the phone with Drew, I called my Easterseals councilor, Alexis Wagoner, and told her about the incident. She said she would call the director, Korey Giordano, to find out more about why my being sick did not excuse me fromsaid groups? Alexis did, in fact, call Korey trying to gain an understanding of said events. She was told by Mrs Giordano that being sick does not excuse someone from the Life skills classes and that one must go to these classes no matter how sick they are. Not once was the fact that I did do worksheets while I was sick even matter. As a matter of fact it was utilized against me as if because I did the worksheets, clearly I was well enough to go to the groups too?
At any rate, what I have seen here is simple as the Director tries to keep a "paper trail" on the clients to have good cause to kick someone out and free up a bed for another. The shady side here comes when the Salvation Army recieves funding for each new client therefore giving the director incentive to create reasons to write clients up for. Recently 8 people were told to leave because they supposedly did not meet the Life skills group requirements, albeit, most of the individuals did indeed go to the meetings that they were told they didnot go to. They were asked to leave, each of them kicked back out onto the streets with no place to go to.
I have tried on multiple occasions to speak with Korey concerning this matter but have not been given even the slightestbit of acknowlegement. When I asked for a grievanceform to document this incident, I was told there was absolutely NO grievance forms and that I probably didnt want to do that. Why? Maybe because of retaliation? Only speculation but probably close.
I, and Alexis Wagoner from Easterseals are awaiting a time to be able to speak with Korey about these issues as well as to confront her on why it is she has to have these write-ups at all cost? It would have been simple for her to just look atthe paperwork and Drs notes to come to a compassionate understanding of this situation. Unfortunately, Korey was not willing to take a look at, nor meet to discuss this situation, instead, she maintains that someone with Pnuemonia, 101° temp, and on a ton of medication for this illness to maintain the groups at the jeopardy of the rest of the program? Something is not right with this? I know what Christ is about and this is NO part of a Chrisian way.
WWJD? I was taught to live by this creed. What I am not understanding is how Jesus feels about taking advantage of the disabled homeless in order to maximize government funding? Sounds sinful to me. Would Jesus not haveshown compassion for the sick?
Can I please have a meeting with Mrs Korey Giordano, Drew, Alexis Wagoner, and myself to speak about this incident as well as to prevent such foul ethics from being part of my life. I carry myself as a good man and treat others with respect. Is it too .uch to ask tobe treated with a little bit of respect in return?
Humbly Said,
David Peck