My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2011 at twenty years old. Physicians predicted if my son ever worked again, he would never be able to handle more than 20 hours per week.  After a three-month stint in a mental health institution, my son began the long, painful process of recovery.   

He was accepted in a rehabilitation program that included housing, and later transitioned to a Transitional Living Home. Housing and stability were his path to recovery and despite what the medical professionals stated, with family support and stability, he returned to a life of purpose. He began working full time as a Peer Support Specialist for Arizona’s Mental Health agency, promoted to Case Manager within a few years, and returned to school part time. Although I helped with the initial startup costs, he maintained his own apartment and vehicle. He has proven recovery is possible with the right support systems in place. 

 A major life event that many of us face, however, cost him everything, including housing and his full-time job.  I was angry that housing was available, but not for my child despite him meeting the definition of homelessness, having a qualifying diagnosis, and having worked in the mental health field for the previous six years. 

 In November of 2018, my son began living in his car.  I quit my job to fight the system for my son’s rights, and as I supported him by delivering basic living necessities to him, I became aware of the dual mental health/homelessness crisis in Arizona.  At that time, research showed over 36,000 people were living in parks, under bridges, and in other locations not acceptable for human life. 

 Prevention of homelessness is our first step because it’s more cost effective (and better for the economy) to help someone remain independent, than it is to pull them out of homelessness.   Our long-term goal is Independent housing for the chronically homeless, funded by grants and community support.  

 While we work on funding, we distribute hygiene bags, snacks and bedrolls made from recycled plastic bags into the homeless community. The hygiene items are collected from the community, our backpacks are paid for by sponsorships. Our Volunteen (teenaged volunteers) outreach groups (located in Queen Creek and South Phoenix) meet monthly to fill the bags and distribute directly into the homeless community. 

Our Plarn team (crocheting bedrolls from plastic bags) are spread through Maricopa County, and average 100 volunteers. Our Housing Committee (Medical and Mental Health professionals) is currently working on a demographics model for the client we will serve in our Independent Housing program. Our model will be based on the homeless community created by the City of Austin’s, Community First Village.