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Hall, Jennifer From: Lopez, Jessie Sent: Monday, August 28, 2023 9:21 AM To: eComment Subject: FW: Yale Navigation Center Report From: Brian Alexis Mendoza < Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2023 4:41 PM To: Vazquez, Benjamin <bvazquez@santa-ana.org>; Penaloza, David <DPenaloza@santa-ana.org>; Hernandez, Johnathan <JRyanHernandez@santa-ana.org>; Lopez, Jessie <JessieLopez@santa-ana.org>; Bacerra, Phil <pbacerra@santa-ana.org>; Amezcua, Valerie <VAmezcua@santa-ana.org>; Phan, Thai <TPhan@santa-ana.org> Cc: Eggers, Terri <TEggers@santa-ana.org>; gracew@mercyhouse.net Subject: Yale Navigation Center Report Hi Council Members - My name is Brian Alexis Mendoza. I am a 25 year old latino social worker and journalist living off the streets of Santa Ana, Orange County, CA. I have worked in psych wards and homeless service nonprofits in the area. As of 8/27/2023 I am currently homeless and staying at Yale Navigation Center. I have experienced harassment and discrimination from both residents and staff. I have reported and faced retaliation. I have called the Santa Ana Police Department who then turn the issue around in me and try to point fingers at me. The shelter staff made up an "incident" about me and told me I wasn't allowed to come back in until the next day. I told them I had to go to work and that they are unjustly keeping my belongings. They would not explain what the "incident" was. As far as I know they made this up as I did not speak to any staff or residents on the day they claimed there was an "incident". The SAPD Officer Choi (Badge # 3631) told me it was a "civil" matter and told me to sue and hire a lawyer. Officer Choi proceeded to speak to the shelter security/staff. Officer Choi asked them "Was there an incident involving Brian today?" The shelter staff falsely claimed "Yes." Officer Choi then said "Alright have a good day. You can leave." I attempted to speak with the shelter staff to find out what the "incident" was. They emotionally yelled at me saying "Don't talk to me." And the Officer told me to leave. I am not sure what's going on here but it seems that the shelter is making false claims. Every time I come into the shelter they ask me to step out of my car and search my trunk. This is not the same for every resident. I have only seen them search my trunk. They have also called me "miss" and "main". For the record, I am male and go by the pronouns he/him. They are sadistic and easily irritable. I have worked with Mercy House (another shelter in ORANGE COUNTY) as a case manager and this is no way a shelter is run or how residents are treated. They have been sued in the past for harassment and discrimination reason as well. I have had issues with residents regarding harassment and racial tensions which they are ignoring. 1