SUCCESS STORIES                                                              Insights into Mental Health

The following success stories are true statements of clients using ICAN’s housing programs. Names have been changed to protect the clients privacy.

Matt visited ICAN’s drop in center in January 2006 on a regular basis, thought he was not yet ready to enroll in any programs. Over time Kathy, an ICAN employee, built trust with Matt. He eventually accepted emergency housing and the rules that go with it.

In August 2007 Matt took another step forward when he enrolled in treatment services at a clinical agency. He also decided he was ready to commit to ICAN’s Supportive Housing Program. In return for a rental subsidy Matt worked with a housing support provider to achieve realistic goals and improve his self-reliance.

Matt was still quite ill, and needed a lot of support. In July 2008 he suffered a personal setback that erased his sense of hope. Matt attempted suicide. Fortunately he did not succeed. Both ICAN and his treatment provider helped him through this tough time, an intervention that probably saved Matt. In January 2009 Matt passed his GED exam, a major achievement in his recovery.

Matt’s story is not unusual. Life can feel overwhelming for any of us. We need our support system to get through it. ICAN could provide that support consistently to Matt but we let him set the pace. His next goal is to attend Stark State College.

Matt’s road to recovery has taken three years of hard work, and there are still many hurdles ahead. We just have to stay by his side, until the day he has built both his own self-confidence and a new support system to be there for him.

Mary is a 29 year old single female with 6 children ranging in age from newborn to 14 years old. Mary has been struggling to keep her children housed for over six years and at the time of her HAP application; she was pregnant with 5 children living in a local YWCA shelter. Mary has been diagnosed with a severe and persistent psychiatric illness which contributes to the hardships of maintaining a household and raising a family of 6. Since entering the program, Mary has kept up with her rental payments in her new home and is working with her support provider to obtain permanent employment.

Richard is a 48 year old single black male that has been diagnosed with a severe and persistent psychiatric illness. Richard has a criminal history which involves assault and robbery; he also has a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Before entering the HAP program he had a long history of homelessness and had lived in many shelters. Since entering the HAP program in 2006; Richard has been able to maintain stable housing, has kept up on his child support payments, and holds a place on a waiting list with a local housing authority to obtain a permanent housing voucher. Richard has not had any new criminal charges brought against him since entering into this program and is not currently using drugs or alcohol.

Manuel is a 51 year old white male who has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. He has a history of cocaine use and has had several drug charges against him since his youth. He has been receiving counseling and case management services through the local mental health agency for many years. He previously lived in an apartment that he rented on his own but was in danger of being evicted because of nonpayment. He receives disability benefits. Since living in ICAN owned housing enrolled under the HUD 811 program, Manuel’s symptoms of depression have decreased. He no longer is involved in any drug use and takes pride in his apartment and especially in the upkeep of his yard.

Cindy is a 50 year old white female who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She has no criminal history, but has been in and out of the hospital for mental health issues most of her adult life. She previously came from living with her mother who supported her financially. She is now receiving disability benefits and receives a subsidized apartment under the HUD 811 program. Although she still has symptoms of her disorder that hospitalize her they are less frequent.

Janet is a 35 year old white female who was staying at the local YWCA at the time of application to the Shelter Plus Care program. She had zero income and had a son and a daughter who she did not have custody of. She had a history of alcohol abuse and has a mental health diagnosis of depression. Since living ICAN housing she has received social security benefits for both herself and her son. She now has custody of her son and her daughter. She no longer has a problem with alcohol abuse.