Episcopal Community Services - San Francisco, California

Sateona Armstrong

A Disheartening, Dehumanizing Encounter with Ashante at ECS

My experience with Ashante, a social worker at ECS, was not only discouraging but downright disheartening—a shocking display of negativity from someone in a role meant to uplift and support. From the moment I walked into that meeting, her eyes were all over me, sizing me up like we were on the street. The judgment was palpable. I felt it immediately.

She began the meeting with saying, “We are going to be STUCK together for 2 years after today,” and repeatedly said “It’ll just be me and you from here on out” throughout the meeting. It wasn’t so much what she said. Her tone was like she was actively trying to warn me.

Warn me about what?

When she asked if I was working and I explained that I was a full-time student she scoffed. Her response? “Hopefully that works out.” Not “That’s great,” or “Keep at it,” or even the most basic acknowledgment of my effort. Just a dismissive “hopefully.” It was like she’d already written me off because I’m a full time student instead of an employee.

But it didn’t end there. After making me sign a stack of paperwork—papers I believed were steps toward getting help—she ended the meeting, and I left with the false hope that maybe something positive would come of it. Days later, I received a text informing me that they were passing me off to another organization. Her final words? “Hopefully everything goes well on your journey.” That word again—“hopefully”—dripping with passive-aggression, as if even the barest well-wishes were too much to offer.

Ashante’s coldness and dismissiveness added *months* to my journey to secure stable housing. For her, maybe I was just another file in a case load. But for me, her attitude made an already difficult time feel impossible. It was crushing to be treated this way, especially by someone who is clearly not immune to hardship herself. Not to be rude but she’s a big woman, the biggest I have ever seen outside of My 600 Pound Life and I figure life has not been kind to her. Maybe that’s why she’s passing off that attitude to another Black woman who is smaller than her. Perhaps my presence triggered negative feelings of self-hate or memories of being bullied. Whatever her reasoning is, it was petty and unnecessary to treat me in that manner and she needs to be held accountable and investigated for bias and prejudice against the homeless population.

If you’re seeking assistance from ECS, be cautious. If you feel any hint of negativity or judgment, don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself and ask for a different case worker. No one deserves to be belittled, dismissed, or treated like a burden, especially not when they’re at their lowest point. I sincerely hope ECS re-evaluates its training and ensures that staff members like Ashante actually care about the people they’re supposed to be helping. No one should have to endure the cold indifference I did.

Gary Garman

All I’ve seen is the facilitation of drug use and overdose deaths by this alleged non profit. They take in millions while the suffering continues.They have no intention of changing their values. Scott eckers, Beth stokes and the rest are all guilty of murder. They hide behind the episcopal name yet create the most detrimental conditions within the scope of helping those most in need. Disbanded and defunded are the least of their worries. Jail time should suit them better along with caritas management who have reaped the benefits of homelessness. Pure snakes is all they are.

Lewis Smith

Myron, Fernando, highly unprofessional. Beatriz Portillo was the.only person, really working. Money wasted.

Aj Jones

I live in one of your sro's. I'm documenting everything going on here and everything that wrong with the building itself and seeing to it your shut down.

William Mitchell

They were there in every way for me when I really needed it.

Anthony Harvey

Tameka Butler

Kevin Overton