Madison McGee
Lake Havasu City, AZ
I had a deeply disappointing experience with HAVEN Center when I reached out for help as a victim of domestic violence. My husband was arrested, and the following day, a caseworker named Ashley contacted me and scheduled a meeting. I was 8 months pregnant and a stay-at-home mom to 4 children, with no access to my husband’s finances. I brought overdue utility bills to the meeting, desperate to avoid losing essential services, and Ashley reassured me, saying they could assist financially up to $3,500. She also mentioned they could provide a RING camera to help ensure my safety, which was comforting and gave me some hope. I kept Ashley updated via email, letting her know I had secured a restraining order and provided other updates, but then she stopped responding altogether. When I called, I was told Ashley left a note for the receptionist in case I called, which felt dismissive and unprofessional. I was asked to apply to other programs first, which I did, but every time I checked back, I was directed to call more numbers or contact different organizations. Despite following their advice and making every effort, nothing came of it. Eventually, they stopped answering my calls entirely. Being ignored and brushed off during such a vulnerable time left me feeling defeated and unsupported. It was heartbreaking to see an organization, which is supposed to help victims of domestic violence, completely fail to provide the promised assistance. What made this experience even worse was that Ashley specifically told me not to reach out to another organization, Faith and Grace. When I finally did, Faith and Grace stepped in immediately, providing the help I needed with kindness and professionalism. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend HAVEN Center to anyone seeking help. I would also caution against donating to them, as my experience raises serious concerns about how their funds are allocated.
