Fibro Helping Hands, Fibro Healing Hearts, Laney Sofranko (Founder, Executive Director), and Several "Board Members" Lie To and About Others, Manipulate Others To Fit Their Own Agenda, and Use People Until They Have No Use For Them Oakdale California

Title: False Information
Relationship: UPDATE Employee
Update: 
This report disgusts me. How someone can report completely false information to damage a non-profit organization trying to establish itself so that it can help people who are desperate...homeless...hungry...is beyond me!
I met Laney on another fibromyalgia site and was with her since the time she opened the groups. I have been there since the very beginning and am still there now. I know everything that has gone on and everything that is still going on and this report is the furthest thing from the truth I have ever seen!
None of the information in this report is true and in my opinion it should be removed from this site and an apology should be issued. Do facts not need to be checked before things like this are allowed to be printed? Why is an organization not informed of slanderous accusations such as are in this report?
The persons responsible for this complete and utter slander should be punished by law. Laney and the people who support her are giving their own time and energy to try and build an organization that can help many people suffering from a very misunderstood illness that leaves them disabled and unable to work. These people become suicidal in many cases due to pain and financial stress and burdens. I suffer from this illness and have been suicidal myself...these lies create extra stress that none of us suffering need.
The person who wrote this slanderous attack is nothing but a spoiled brat having a temper tantrum, they didn't get their own way so apparently made the decision to act out. This action is, has and will be harmful to many innocent people who already suffer a heavy burden.
Laney is one of the most compassionate and loving people I have ever met. This endeavour became a goal of hers when she witnessed so many people financially struggling, going without medications and food...sometimes even the comfort of a roof over their heads. She is also driven by the loss of her own sister who suffered from these illnesses.
Sometimes this type of damage can never be undone and I pray this is not the case here. It would be a shame to lose the inspiration to achieve such a wonderful cause because of someone acting like a badly behaved child.
I will continue to support Laney, the other admins, and all of the members who are a part of these groups. I know of the true love, committment and honesty of everyone involved. I will never benefit financially from these efforts unless it one day becomes international...or I start one myself in Canada...but that is not why I donate my time and support. I donate my time and support because I suffer from this illness, I have been suicidal from financial stress...still fighting it and trying to get well enough to work again. 
My prayers are that the truth to all of these slanderous lies become known by everyone and that Laney can hold on to the strength to continue with this much needed cause and that our loving members are not mislead by any of this and continue on to receive our support and give their support to sisters in need.

To Whom it May Concern:

I have just discovered that this report exists and am disgusted that someone would stoop so low as to place an erroneous report against myself and the non profit I am in the process of starting. THIS ENTIRE REPORT IS A HOAX and EVERY STATEMENT WITHIN THE REPORT IS FALSE!!! I am demanding that the writer of this report provide proof and evidence of the statements for which they are making; although as ALL of the allegations are FALSE they will be unable to do so!  

To inform readers what the non profit is let me start off by stating it's mission is to provide financial assistance to those with Fibromyalgia in need and to raise awareness about this debilitating illness. The non profit is in the start up/organization stage and has yet to provide any services to anyone. I have started a Facebook page for the non profit which led to the starting of a support group as well. Starting a support group and non profit page on Facebook apparently came with risks of being in the public eye and having someone as in this case attempt to destroy my reputation as well as that of the groups because they became disgruntled and left the group. They have since been slandering my name and that of the groups' on their personal Facebook pages. This is such ridiculous and childish behavior if not somewhat mental and psychotic.

I founded Fibro Helping Hands in October 2013. I also work a full time job as a sworn in officer. I have been working on starting the non profit during my spare time. I am not wealthy and am funding the venture primarily out of my own pocket. The non profit currently has a bank balance of $675.34 of which over $500 has been donated by myself and two members of the Board of Directors. This money has been raised to fund legal and filing fees for the non profits 501(3)(c) Federal tax exempt status. I personally have paid $564 in previous expenses for the non profit which include legal and filing fees for the Federal EIN and State of California non profit registration and the non profit PO BOX fees. In addition, I have helped support group members providing more than $500 to various members for food and medication costs from my own personal savings account which can be verified via my personal bank statements.

I founded the non profit after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia myself and seeking support groups on Facebook to help me learn more about it. In doing so I was reading many heartbreaking stories of people who have lost their job due to this debilitating illness, were waiting for social security disability to be approved, had lost their health insurance, who were having to choose between food and medicines and medical care and rent/mortgage. I wanted to help. I went online looking for a non profit that might be able to help these people. Finding none and having some non profit employment experience it was heavy on my heart to help. So I started researching how to start a non profit and soon began the journey of Fibro Helping Hands.

We had started with the Board of Directos with a handful of Board members. Since then one Board member left the area indefinitely therefore could no longer serve on the Board of Directors and another had to resign due to her new employment and the failing health of her father. This has all been documented in the Board meeting minutes.

I, nor any of the Board members or support group Admins, have misused any funds that have been donated including monies that I myself have donated. I have not mistreated, lied to or about or used any members of the support group or the non profit that I have founded. I have not been bad mouthing members, manipulating or ANY OF THE SAID ALLEGATIONS in the report. My past history and employment records will confirm my honesty and integrity as a person, employee and business owner. I have undergone an extensive Federal security background check for my current employer and have no criminal history nor have I received as much as a traffic citation in approximately 25 years. All of the statements which have been made against me in this report are completely FALSE and hold absolutely NO TRUTHS whatsoever. Anyone having questions is free to contact me regarding this matter at fibrohelpinghands@gmail.com. I will provide documentation as to my legitimacy as a non profit and would be happy to provide copies of Board of Director meeting minutes and non profit banking history all of which is public record as per Federal and State non profit law, as well as member letters of reference. 

In conclusion let me reiterate that every statement in this report is COMPLETELY FALSE and SLANDEROUS and the person or persons filing this report should be sued in a court of law. While I agree with a persons freedom of speech it is still however illegal to SLANDER a persons personal and business reputation! THIS REPORT IS A HOAX AND BEARS NO TRUTHS WHATSOEVER! AGAIN I DEMAND THE WRITER TO SUBSTANIATE THESE  ERRONEOUS ALLEGATIONS WITH EVIDENCE!! 

Sincerely,

Laney Sofranko

This report disgusts me.  How someone can report completely false information to damage a non-profit organization trying to establish itself so that it can help people who are desperate...homeless...hungry...is beyond me!

I met Laney on another fibromyalgia site and was with her since the time she opened the groups.  I have been there since the very beginning and am still there now.  I know everything that has gone on and everything that is still going on and this report is the furthest thing from the truth I have ever seen!

None of the information in this report is true and in my opinion it should be removed from this site and an apology should be issued.  Do facts not need to be checked before things like this are allowed to be printed? Why is an organization not informed of slanderous accusations such as are in this report?

The persons responsible for this complete and utter slander should be punished by law.  Laney and the people who support her are giving their own time and energy to try and build an organization that can help many people suffering from a very misunderstood illness that leaves them disabled and unable to work.  These people become suicidal in many cases due to pain and financial stress and burdens.  I suffer from this illness and have been suicidal myself...these lies create extra stress that none of us suffering need.

The person who wrote this slanderous attack is nothing but a spoiled brat having a temper tantrum, they didn't get their own way so apparently made the decision to act out.  This action is, has and will be harmful to many innocent people who already suffer a heavy burden.

Laney is one of the most compassionate and loving people I have ever met.  This endeavour became a goal of hers when she witnessed so many people financially struggling, going without medications and food...sometimes even the comfort of a roof over their heads.  She is also driven by the loss of her own sister who suffered from these illnesses.

Sometimes this type of damage can never be undone and I pray this is not the case here.  It would be a shame to lose the inspiration to achieve such a wonderful cause because of someone acting like a badly behaved child.

I will continue to support Laney, the other admins, and all of the members who are a part of these groups.  I know of the true love, committment and honesty of everyone involved. I will never benefit financially from these efforts unless it one day becomes international...or I start one myself in Canada...but that is not why I donate my time and support.  I donate my time and support because I suffer from this illness, I have been suicidal from financial stress...still fighting it and trying to get well enough to work again. 

My prayers are that the truth to all of these slanderous lies become known by everyone and that Laney can hold on to the strength to continue with this much needed cause and that our loving members are not mislead by any of this and continue on to receive our support and give their support to sisters in need.

Hi, this is Dipti and I am rebutting this complaint about Fibro Helping Hands, Fibro Healing Hearts,Laney and Board Members and friends.
I accidentally came across this group and joined it with the intention of helping others. I was fortunate enough to have been selected as an admin. Since becoming an admin I have nothing but respect for Laney and all the other Admins in the group. Shortly after I joined the group Laney had made a general post explaining what had been going on in the group and why. I have a copy of what she posted :

This groups name is being slandered by former admin and members who disagreed with our decision to allow the support groups growth and the Board of Directors to help out in supporting not only the non profit but the support group as well. They posted some rude and slanderous comments here which had to be deleted because slander is not allowed in this group. Those who were doing this were removed from the group and are now slandering us on their own FB walls. Growth is a wonderful opportunity and the support group is the very people the non profit will support. I do not understand how someone could be so against that. In addition our Board CEO and Admin Michele does not have a formal Fibro diagnosis yet but has put her heart and soul into this group and the non profit since the day I started it. They disagreed with me bringing her onboard here to offer support. This will be necessary so applications for funding can be reviewed and she will know who these applicants are. There are many processes that we must go through to make the non profit and support group succeed. It's unfortunate that they could not understand this and are now slandering the group. Any of you who agree with their slander are free to leave also. We are here to support you and build a non profit that can offer those of you who need its financial support as well. I am saddened that anyone I loved and trusted could attempt to cause so much hurt and damage to a group.

After reading this I remember thinking why these folks who left thought, what they thought right was final, when this was and is Laney's brainchild. She may take everyone's input but the final decision is her's and rightfully her's alone. The fact is she never makes you feel you are not part of the decision making. I truly believe that this is an ego/jealousy issue where the complainer feels justified slandering and bringing down a good cause. Finaly, after all is said and done the proof will remain in the pudding. Laney will be or may have already shared the documents etc that will prove her innocence. Anyone who is apart of the support group and non-profit group or who wants to be part of it needs to decide for themselves, what and who they want to believe. Anyone is free to ask any one of us Admins or Laney herself any questions or concerns you might have. We will do our best to satify them.

 I am writing in response to the report on Fibro Helping Hands, a Non Profit organization started by Laney Sofranko. I became a member of the groups on April 14th upon hearing about it through a mutual friend. I was so excited to be a part of something that helped people with fibromyalgia, especially since I just left my job because of it and I am filing for disability. This Non Profit organization is designed to help people JUST like me once it gets funded.

Not too long after joinging the group I saw where the admins of the group changed (or some resigned) and a post was put up explaining that there were some differing opinions from the admins and board members. Laney, the founder of the Non Profit, wanted (and still does) to keep the support group open to as many people as possible so that we can offer support to as many as possible. The disagreeing members of the board wanted to restrict the numbers and close the group at a set amount.

When Laney chose to override the decision to cap the group numbers, the ones wishing to limit the number of members to the support group left the group and have been seen posting derogatory comments about the group and about Laney. One of the previous Admins/Board members posted the following story on her Facebook Page:

"A little bedtime story... Once upon a time, there was a girl who had a chronic illness.  She found a group that supported "informing and educating the public" and raising money to help those who could no longer afford their medications, and lived in daily pain.  The girl felt so comforted by the group, now knowing she was "not alone" in dealing with this illness.  So, the girl wanted to help other...s, too.  She gave money and food and clothing to help those who were in worse shape.
One day, the girl realized this "caring group" was run by a mean old witch, who was hording monetary funds while others in the village cried for assistance.  "This small amount will not help some one who is THAT bad off anyhow", she would say..."I shall keep this money and build on it, so that one day I may help thousands and thousands.  Why should I help a few people now when I can help thousands farther down the yellow brick road? "  And one day, the evil witch also blurted out how one day soon, she would like to give herself a "salary" (from these funds) for working to help the poor and needy, which she wasn't going to be doing until she had enough people to take care of.  Ten or 20, or even 400 was NOT enough...she needed MORE!  She also surrounded herself with "friends" to fill all the "official positions" on the group.  Not necessarily "qualified", but willing to blindly follow orders...
Well, the girl, and a few other girls with the same ideals, decided to leave the kingdom, because they have integrity, and honestly care for others.  They try to cut all ties with the evil Queen, but the Queen will not allow it, for whatever deranged reasons, she just will not cut that last tie.  The girls move on, saying little.  Saying only enough to try to let others know what "really goes on behind the curtain"..
The moral of the story?  The queen and her flying monkeys have no morals.  Do NOT trust people on the internet, who want money...as they prey upon the weak.
NEXT week's story..."Bend Over, Here Comes Karma..."

And today, that same member posted a link to this report with the following comment:

"I just KNEW we could count on KARMA....don't know who wrote this, but cudos to them!  And now, hopefully, this ends the bedtime stories...As me and my girls, who actually HAVE integrity and a conscious, move on...hopefully we find another way to help, by spreading love and faith and peace..."

By posting these two things, she has shown undue malice towards Laney and the Fibro Healing Hearts Support group and Fibro Helping Hands Non Profit. At this time, I would like to request that anyone with proof of these allegations to please come forward with them now. Upon having no proof of these claimed wrong doings, I will vouch for Laney Sofranko and both the Fibro Helping Hands Non Profit and Fibro Healing Hearts Support Group. As a simple admin to the support group I do not personally have the documents for the fundraising and bank account of the non profit, but they are considered Public Record. I am certain that Laney, herself, will be posting supporting documentation against the original report shortly.

In conclusion, anyone reading a report like this should form their own opinion about the support group and non-profit. We welcome all questions and will be happy to assist you with whatever it is you need to know. I am disappointed that someone who had a simple misunderstanding with the goals of the group and non profit would write something so heinous as this report just to cause difficulty for the people who are volunteering their personal time to create something amazing for those people suffering from fibromyalgia.