Harbor House defends allegations of failed services

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — For the first time since a group of women made allegations against Harbor House, a domestic violence shelter, the new CEO spoke to Channel 9's Nancy Alvarez about the claims.

“Did we do our absolute best, and if we feel like we didn't, then how do we improve that for the next person who comes along?” Michelle Sperzel told Eyewitness News.

Sperzel said she investigated and addressed the complaints of eight women who told Channel 9 that the agency failed to deliver on services that were promised.

The complaints came during a time of transition before Sperzel arrived. She attributed the problem to the ebb and flow of resources.

“Maybe this fund was open and now it's closed, or we had a lot of bus vouchers and we don't anymore. So when we looked through what happened, it was what resources were available at that time,” Sperzel said.

Sperzel said her focus now is on growth. She’s said she’s expanding an economic empowerment program, and three injunction attorneys were added to a team at the courthouse who are ready to help survivors through the legal process.

“We have to make sure we're listening to survivors, that we're helping as many people as we can and that our programs are relevant,” Sperzel said.

Sperzel's message is that Harbor House is as committed as ever to its mission.

There are 68 people staying at the new shelter. One is a woman who said she was attacked by her fiancé.

“I had nights I didn't think I was gonna make it mentally,” the woman told Eyewitness News.

Orlando police officers took the woman to Harbor House three weeks ago. The woman plans to return to family members who live out of state.

Sperzel said her story is proof that Harbor House can change lives.

“I'm going home empowered. I have Bible verses I didn't know existed. I'm just going (home) a new woman, and I wouldn't have got that if I hadn't come here,” the woman said.

Cox Media Group