Newsletter – January 2018

 
January 2018
On Monday, we held the groundbreaking celebration for Housing First Oak Springs, a multi-story permanent supportive housing community modeled on the principles of Housing First. There was excitement in the air, as Housing First Oak Springs will be the first of its kind in Central Texas.
Attendees were welcomed by our very own, Darilynn Cardona-Beiler, the Director of Adult Behavioral Health Systems. Then Joyce, who became homeless in 2011, spoke about her experience with Integral Care housing and supports. There’s no better way to explain what our Permanent Supportive Housing program does for people than hear directly from one of our clients. Joyce’s speech was truly uplifting and inspiring, confirming just how significant housing is to the recovery process.
Further remarks were given by Mike Gerber, President at Housing Authority City of Austin; Councilmember Ora Houston, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, and Senator Kirk Watson.
For many of the people who will move into this community, it will be the first time in years (if not decades) that they have a safe, secure place to call home. We thank you for your support of this project, and for believing that housing is more than four walls.

Rathgeber Challenge – Mission Accomplished

Integral Care is excited to announce that the Rathgeber Challenge has been met! Thanks to donors and supporters like you, we have successfully raised $2 million towards construction of Housing First Oak Springs. Local philanthropist Mr. Dick Rathgeber will grant us a contribution of another $1 million. 
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped to make this success possible!

New Grant Support

We recently received three new grants benefiting our Housing First programs. 
We are very grateful for their generosity.

 

Meet the Staff:  Darilynn Cardona-Beiler

We recently met with Darilynn Cardona-Beiler, Director of Adult Behavioral Health Systems at Integral Care, to learn about her experience with and passion for Housing First.
Why are you passionate about Housing First?
It’s very simple – I’ve seen it work. Housing is at the core of health and well-being. Housing First is the solution to homelessness and it serves as a platform from which an individual can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. When you don’t have a home, there are very few opportunities to achieve a state of well-being. One of the things that makes me very passionate about Housing First is the philosophy of treating people with unconditional positive regard in contrast to traditional homeless programs that insist on preconditions such as sobriety or psychiatric care and moving through steps to have a home. Individuals don’t have to earn their housing. Once someone is housed and achieves stability, it creates a positive ripple effect that impacts their lives and the lives of those around them.
Housing First Oak Springs is a 50-unit apartment community that will provide housing as well as access to onsite mental health counseling and treatment for drug and alcohol use. When people have a safe place to live and the tools they need to achieve well-being, recovery begins.

Sincerely,
Ellen Richards
Chief Strategy Officer
Housing First Oak Springs is a project of Integral Care