La Casa de las Madres — Domestic abuse treatment center in City and County of San Francisco, CA

I am feeling a very violent, dangerous situation. I am a transgender woman. I'm looking for assistance and I call them. The girl that answered the phone is very nasty. Has an attitude possibly sounds high. I'm not exactly sure why this person's even answering the phone. They're sitting there asking about my partners funding his money. What does that have to do with me and my life? I literally left him and I'm leaving and fleeing a very dangerous situation and potentially being a victim of human trafficking and the fact that they're nasty to me and didn't even tell me she hung up goes to show that this program isn't helping anybody but who they want to. It seemed like they were trying to get money out of me because they kept asking about if I had a job. What about my partner's money? I don't have any money. I left him. I'm in my car and I'm trying to get assistance and I'm not being met with assistance. I'm being met with more abuse and I'm not exactly sure why this organization is even around if they're not going to help anybody.

This review is solely about the volunteer experience at La Casa de Las Madres. I participated in their 2025 September cohort training, which totaled about 40 hours over approximately four weeks (three days a week, three hours each day). I live in the East Bay, so attending the training required significant time commuting across the Bay Bridge and sitting in heavy traffic each session. I communicated in advance that I would miss two training sessions—one due to work and one because I was sick. During the training itself, everything felt supportive and kind, and we spoke frequently about the importance of kindness and respect. Unfortunately, everything went downhill after the training ended. Because I missed two sessions, I was required to complete makeup work before I could begin volunteering. While still in training, I asked the volunteer leader multiple times about the makeup work, and she repeatedly told me she would send it to me. I checked again on the final day of training, and she said she will send it to me soon. One month after the training ended, I sent a follow-up email asking about the makeup work—no response. Two weeks later, I sent another email—no response. Three weeks after that, I sent yet another email—still no response. I also called the center and left messages requesting a callback. I never heard back. I was shocked by how disrespectful this was of my time and commitment. By that point, I had already completed a detailed application, provided references, gone through interviews, and completed nearly 40 hours of unpaid training. After three emails and multiple phone calls, receiving no response at all is unacceptable in any context—especially for a nonprofit organization that emphasizes kindness and mutual respect during training. It is deeply disappointing and shocking to see how they treat volunteers, and this could be how they treat others as well. Based on this experience, I do not recommend volunteering with this organization, and please react to this post for it to get more attention. Thank you.

2003 I lived in the San Francisco shelter as a teen mom and was pregnant with my second child fleeing domestic abuse. I was harassed and belittled by a staff member constantly for sometimes no apparent reason as well as for being late multiple times returning to the house due to bus delays. The staff member falsified her narrative about me and got me banned for life from this facility. The was no due process or way to appeal simply her words against an abused pregnant teen with a one year old. My hope is that things have changed and the policies no longer criminalize battered women and mothers. I am resilient and was able to find community with true compassion and empathy. Intentionality and Love was needed in the space back then my experience there was apart of my journey and is one I will never forget.

I would like to express my gratitude to La Casa for restoring my sense of peace. I am eternally thankful for organizations of this nature. The staff were exceptionally commendable. My child and I resided at their confidential shelter, which provided us with a sense of home. By adhering to the rules and policies of the shelter, one should have a positive experience.

I am beyond disappointed with this sham of a shelter. I've worked with other shelters before as a volunteer, and had high hopes for this one. I am devastated that ANYONE can try to represent victims and offer non existent help to these women in need. This place took it to the next level. Supporting the abusers, accepting money from them that never EVER went to any victims unless to give them nearly more unfit living conditions than they had the courage to run away from. Pathetic.

I’m not satisfied. The Staff has been incredibly short, and rude on the phone. They advertise they have a crisis support line but get an attitude and tell you you have to come in person to receive services, when that line is advertised as and supposed to be for emergency support, crisis support and counseling. Just the same old story of a non profit further traumatizing the community they are supposed to help. And yes I’m Latina. They don’t seem to want to provide the services. The staff don’t seem trauma informed. I would not recommend. I feel like I was overlooked & dissatisfied the 3-4 times I called and realized they are playing games, wasting my time, not helping, not being helpful, etc.

I remember living here as a kid. This program was a life saver for my mom, brothers and I. When I was 8 or 9 they arranged for our family to move to Los Angeles to start a new life at another DV Shelter. This was nearly 20 years ago. If it weren't for this program and similar programs, we wouldn't have had the opportunity so have a start fresh. I remember the staff being to compassionate and caring. They really went above and beyond for our family.

I was treated with little to no respect when trying to find resources, was not listen to. Equality and respect definitely not a thing here . It saddens me that you can call ,be brave enough to take the next step forward, and be degraded . Please do better , please have people on the phones who listen and actually care to help.please get your staff trauma informed. FIX THIS !

Extremely professional but primarily what I enjoyed was their empathic nature. They are a very caring staff, root you on, genuinely concern themselves with your well being but also demand of you to be accountable and meet them halfway. Absolutely great organization!

Be advised, when directed yourself through Google maps you will be shown the back entrance of this organization. So, make sure that you are not trying to enter on the Tehama street as shown on Google Maps.