A Better Migration for the Seriously Mentally Ill: Into a Place They Can Call Home.

At least once a month I am put in touch with yet another mother who is fighting to get services for her adult child who has a serious mental illness. Often she doesn't even know where her son or daughter is and lives in fear of the phone call bringing the news her child may be in prison, or worse.

These stories play out every day in America. Stories that no one wants to read, stories that no one wants to even think about, stories that definitely don't make the evening news. Yet these are more than mere narratives, these are real people living in our communities, our neighborhoods, and in our own families.

The more my husband and I work to develop our organization, the more we realize that this is about so much more than opening a home. This is about helping people. And not simply the individuals with a serious mental illness, but their families and friends as well.

This past February I had the privilege of participating in an Educational Forum for Faith leaders and Families as part of Gilbert Mayor John Lewis's Behavioral Health and Substance Use Task Force.

The Behavioral Health Substance Use topic was identified in a 2015 Gilbert Community Needs Assessment as a top priority for faith group, education, government and community leaders to discuss and try and make improvements.
Last November, a Gilbert BHSU Task Force was organized. Based on their efforts of the last few months, the Task Force shared findings and recommendations with our community.

This educational clinic sought to help these Resources better assist those with mental health and substance use challenges. Participants heard from trained professionals from the Gilbert Police Department, Gilbert Fire Department, Gilbert Public Schools, and various professionals from the public and private sector to help them know how better to respond to acute needs and also how to connect families with a broad array of community organizations and resources that can provide long-term support.

It was an honor to participate in this event and we are grateful for Mayor John Lewis's leadership in reaching out to Faith leaders since they are often the first contact when families are in crisis. Liz Beck and myself were able to share in the workshop breakout sessions how we walked through our personal struggles with our church related to these topics. Through each of our difficulties, two exciting new Organizations have been birthed: "Redeemed 2 Repeat", that seeks to walk alongside, equip and care for those who struggle with addiction. Also, our newly formed "P82 Project Restoration, Inc." with the intent of opening a home for men with severe & persistent mental illness. Our goal in this forum was to inspire hope and confidence for our community in reaching out to our neighbors who also struggle with these issues.

It was a very good beginning and I want you to stay tuned because P82 Project Restoration is looking to host some very unique forums in the near future! We believe it's past time to change so many of our mother's fears into actual help and hope. We believe it's past time to effect a new and better migration for the seriously mentally ill out of jails and streets and into a place they can call home.

If you haven't already, won't you consider joining us to accomplish this migration? I want to thank so many of you who have already partnered with us either through your prayers or financially. If you would like to begin giving, either now or in the future, please visit our website here for secure online giving. If you prefer mail, you may send checks to the address below:

P82 Project Restoration, Inc.
P.O. Box 20144
Mesa, AZ 85205

Thank You!