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Linda Reyes

Linda Marie Reyes was a direct-support professional at Harmony House in Pasadena, California, and became the permanent director of Rosewood Community Home in 1995. In early November 1994, after spending months documenting abuse and neglect under director Sharon Mitchell, she reported the facility through the regional-center oversight system. Linda’s testimony contributed to the investigation led by Ellen Matsuda, the nonprofit operator’s termination of Mitchell, and the reforms that preceded Harmony House’s renaming.

Education and Early Career

Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Northridge in 1991. She began working in group homes in August of that year and joined Harmony House in April 1994 with approximately three years of experience in direct support.

Harmony House Whistleblowing

Main article: Harmony House Investigation and Reform (1994–1995)

During her first six months at Harmony House, Linda documented verbal abuse, medical neglect, arbitrary punishment, and retaliation under Mitchell’s management. She planned to leave and kept her résumé on her desk, but she continued gathering dates, incidents, and other evidence while trying to protect residents within the limits of her position.

In early November 1994, Linda reported the facility through the regional-center oversight system. She was the only staff member willing to go on record and provided the investigation’s most detailed staff testimony.

Investigation and Reform

Ellen Matsuda led the investigation that followed Linda’s report. After Ellen submitted her findings, the private nonprofit’s board or licensee terminated Mitchell and appointed Ellen interim administrator through spring or summer 1995. Linda helped implement the resulting reforms, contributed community-programming proposals, and identified the neglected back courtyard as a possible resident-designed garden.

Harmony House’s staff members Carol, Miguel, and Denise encouraged Linda to apply for the permanent director position. Linda received the appointment in 1995, succeeding Ellen’s interim administration. The facility was renamed Rosewood Community Home in late 1995 or early 1996.

Professional Relationships

Ellen Matsuda

Ellen’s investigation relied in part on Linda’s documentation and testimony. During Ellen’s interim leadership, the two worked together on facility reforms and new community programming.

Harmony House Residents

Linda’s report centered the safety and treatment of Harmony House’s residents. She remained involved in the reforms that followed and, as permanent director, continued changes intended to increase resident autonomy, community access, and participation in the facility’s daily life.

Jon Williams and Chrissie Bennett

During Jon’s 1994 hospitalization, his absence from his usual visits caused Chrissie severe distress. Linda checked with Ms. Patricia at the Pasadena Public Library, contacted hospitals and the California Institute of Technology, and learned that Jon was critically ill at County General. She reassured Chrissie that Jon had not abandoned her and advocated for Chrissie to visit once he was stable. Jon’s hospitalization followed an untreated right-hand injury that progressed through cellulitis to sepsis after he split his knuckles during a meltdown and continued researching legal aid for Chrissie.

Carol, Miguel, and Denise

Carol, Miguel, and Denise were coworkers who recognized Linda’s role in the investigation and encouraged her to seek the permanent directorship she received in 1995.

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