It seems DHHSC doesn't know who should be their priority!

Advocacy or Fundraising, what should get their attention first?

Recently DHHSC announced that they had received a $1,000 donation from Walmart. The announcement was put on their website with a picture of DHHSC staff and Walmart staff holding the check. On the surface, there appears to be nothing earthshaking about this announcement. Walmart stores often donate to local charities. What is ironic about this donation is that while DHHSC was accepting money from Walmart they were aware that deaf employees had filed complaints against Walmart, including a deaf man in Fresno.

One deaf person in Fresno filing the complaint against Walmart is Mario Moreno. He visited a recent Alliance meeting. We had the opportunity to ask him about his case. Mario shared his story with us and this is a summary of the questions we asked him and the translation of his answers.

Q - How long had you worked at Walmart?
A - Six years and five months.

Q - What kind of complaint have you filed against Walmart?
A - Discrimination and Wrongful Termination

Q - When did the incident happen that is the focus of the complaint?
A - July 27th, 2003.

Q - Did you go to DHHSC for help with the situation?
A - Yes, I met with Susan Coulter and Rosemary Diaz was also aware of my situation.

Q - Did DHHSC say they would help you?
A - Susan said, "she would be contacting me."

Q - Then what happened?
A - I waited a month and no one from DHHSC contacted me. So I went ahead and filed the paperwork myself.

Q-How did you feel seeing a picture of DHHSC staff receiving a check from Walmart?
A- Disgusted, because DHHSC did not advocate for me!

Advocacy is one of the seven services DHHSC is mandated to provide according to their Department of Social Services contract that provides the bulk of their funding. For DHHSC to fail to provide advocacy assistance involving Walmart and then turn around and accept a donation from Walmart is hypocritical at best and the selling out of the deaf community at worst. We do not expect DHHSC to judge the validity of his complaint, just assist him in seeking regress through the proper channels and attempt to protect his rights to due process.

Updated 11-4-04 j