Hoping and praying that they find their way to health and housing. We will be there no matter what.
Reflections from the Front Lines Blog
by Amy Schwabenlender, CEO, Keys to Change
In this blog, Amy shares her personal thoughts on serving people experiencing homelessness and living up to the legacy of her good friend and mentor, Mike McQuaid.
Homelessness is Not Healthy
Homelessness is not healthy. We will not wait to spend this $10M investment. We will spend it wisely, with urgency, and in partnership.
The Bell Curve
Homelessness is solvable, Housing for all is possible. HSC has a vision. We hope you will join us in implementing against the bell curve!
Working in the Duality
Asking those with something to give, to share with those who are without.
Using Memories
Not to forget, and not to ignore but let’s clear space for new, fresh, and positive feelings.
Giving
The unintended consequences are rarely seen by the giver. They leave feeling better about themselves because they did something charitable.
Both, And.
If we weren’t having success, the unsheltered number would be many times higher than what it is today.
Achieve the Mission
If we “end” homelessness, or have an efficient homelessness crisis response system in the Valley, then the possibilities are endless.
Inequitable
Preventing and ending homelessness does not occur at a rate that is “intractable.” It occurs at a rate that is inequitable.
Housing Status
We don’t use words like “arrest,” “incarcerate,” or “force treatment” when we talk about housed people that have mental illness and addictions.
Safe, Affordable, and Permanent
Can we write prescriptions for safe, affordable, and permanent housing?
It’s America. We have the resources.
I will pull myself together and carry on, because I am not homeless. I can keep working on solutions to prevent and end homelessness.
About Keys to Change and Key Campus
Keys to Change uses the power of collaboration to create solutions to end homelessness across Maricopa County. As the owner/operator of Key Campus in downtown Phoenix, Keys to Change facilitates coordination among 13 independent nonprofit and governmental agencies offering a holistic range of services to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Serving over 1,000 people every day, Key Campus services include reunification with family and friends; mental, physical and dental healthcare; shelter; mail services; employment; meals; legal services; housing match; animal care, case management and more. Keys to Change is a compassionate connector, strategic partner, and relentless advocate, leveraging corporate, individual, and public funding to address systemic barriers while providing for the immediate and emerging needs of the local unhoused community. Learn more at www.keystochangeaz.org.