|
Dear MHP Community,
All of us here at MHP would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. As we close out 2025, we are grateful for the support that helped MHP serve more than 11,000 people across Southeastern Pennsylvania last year. As we look ahead to our 75th anniversary in 2026, stories like Roland's, a Project SHARE participant, remind us why this work matters: “Programs like this make you want to go out and help other people – because we all need help. This isn’t just a program – it’s family."
Our work is more urgent than ever. Recent changes to HUD’s Continuum of Care funding could significantly impact people experiencing homelessness — including many we serve — and underscore the growing need for strong, peer-centered mental health support (read our full statement below).
If you have not yet made a gift this year, or if you have and want to give again, please consider a year-end donation; your gift will make an important difference. You can donate by clicking the link below, by calling us at (267) 443-3112, or by mailing in a donation, care of the PO Box listed at the bottom of the newsletter.
Your support ensures that no one has to navigate recovery alone.
With much gratitude,
Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski, President & CEO
| | On November 7, MHP held a potluck lunch at all seven of our locations for staff and participants. These shared meals gave everyone a chance to pause, connect, and celebrate the community we build together every day. Gatherings like this reflect MHP’s core belief that recovery is strengthened through belonging, relationships, and mutual support. | | PeerNet Bucks Celebrates Thanksgiving | | |
On November 20th, 2025, PeerNet Bucks County came together to host a warm and welcoming Thanksgiving feast for nearly 20 program participants. Thanks to the generosity of community members, every dish served at the event was donated, creating a true spirit of giving and connection.
During the event, Benefits Advocate Cathy Garrett-Davis and Hanaa Hawthorne spoke with attendees about SNAP and Medicaid benefits, offering valuable information and answering questions to support participants in accessing essential resources.
The feast not only provided a delicious holiday meal but also strengthened community bonds and empowered participants with helpful knowledge heading into the holiday season.
| | A Visit from Secretary Val Arkoosh to Our Pottstown Recovery Learning Center | | |
Recently, we were honored to welcome Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh to our Pottstown Recovery Learning Center. During her visit, we toured the space together, spent time with participants, and shared the ways peer-led recovery, strong community partnerships, and compassionate, non-judgmental support empower people on their recovery journeys.
We are grateful to Secretary Arkoosh for taking the time to witness firsthand the impact that recovery-oriented, person-centered services have on individuals and communities. Her engagement reinforces the importance of continued collaboration in strengthening mental health supports across Pennsylvania.
| | HUD's FY2025 Continuum of Care Funding Announcement | | |
HUD’s FY2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) funding announcement - released last month - marks a major shift in homelessness policy. While we welcome the emphasis on treatment, recovery, and public safety, we are deeply concerned about the drastic reduction in funding for permanent supportive housing and the timing of the announcement. Stable housing is not just a roof; it’s the foundation for hope, recovery, health, and opportunity. When people have a safe place to call home, they reconnect with family, find jobs, build futures, and flourish.
Research shows that stable housing is the foundation for recovery and well-being. Permanent supportive housing reduces hospitalization, prevents relapse, and is cost-effective. These changes risk dismantling proven strategies and destabilizing individuals on their path to recovery.
At MHP, we believe in building hope and promoting well-being through innovative, peer-centered advocacy, learning, and services. Every day, we see how housing and mental health support together create the conditions for people to flourish and live the lives they imagine for themselves.
We urge Congress to act now by including a simple, no-cost provision in the upcoming appropriations bill to renew all existing CoC grants expiring in 2026 for one year to allow for adequate planning to ensure that no one is made homeless because of this sudden change. We also urge Congress to explore other options for rental subsidy through expansion of the HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program to replace lost permanent housing units.
Housing is the foundation on which health, stability, and economic prosperity are built. We must not lose ground on the progress we’ve made to address homelessness; it is not inevitable. Together, we can preserve housing stability and dignity and ensure that every person has the chance to thrive.
| | Norristown State Hospital Advocate, Andrew Keeys | | |
My name is Andrew Keeys and I am a patient advocate at Norristown State Hospital. My job requires me to advocate for the rights of our patients. I also help our patients problem solve and get the most out of their treatment. What I find most interesting about my job is the willingness of our patients to meet their goals while at the hospital. There’s a lot of stigma towards people living with mental illness. But I find that when people are given a voice and resources they can be their best selves.
What I enjoy most about my job is the problem solving required each day. One day I may have to meet with a patient to discuss their diet. Another day I may have to discuss a sensitive incident report and work with a team to see that their claims are investigated. I enjoy helping patients get the most of treatment and helping different teams here as well. I believe we all offer unique perspectives and skillsets that make our roles on each team very important.
A little about myself, I was born and raised in Norristown. I grew up less than a mile from here and spent most of my life in the area. When I’m not working at the state hospital I enjoy writing short stories, spending time with my very big family and going to concerts. I enjoy live music and seeing different acts perform whenever I get a chance. I also enjoy listening to my friends whenever they have a problem. As I said problem solving is my strong point! And I look forward to helping more of our patients while having the pleasure to work here at the state hospital.
| |
“Very informative and engaging.”
“Giving participants necessary information to be successful in all required changes.”
“Really beneficial to everyone.”
These are some responses from the 11 staff and 40 participants who attended the four MHP in-person trainings about new SNAP rules, medical benefits, and self-advocacy. Created by MHP’s Benefits Advocate, Cathy Garrett-Davis, the training focused mostly on the huge changes to household eligibility for SNAP benefits which also will affect Medicaid eligibility. Commonly referred to as food stamps, households usually receive monthly funds for food on an EBT card. The amount received is based on the number of people living in the household and each person’s income, regardless of age. However, because of H.R. 1, commonly called the “Big Beautiful Bill” that was signed into law in July 2025, everyone in those households ages 18-64 must provide written documentation that they are either:
- Engaged in a combination of work, volunteer community service, school, or jobs training for at least 80 hours monthly; or
- Exempt from that required activity
The training included hands-on practice completing the required forms. Most, if not all, of MHP’s participants qualify for an exemption from the work/volunteer/school requirement due to a mental illness or physical disability. Almost all participants in the training said they had not seen those forms, even though all SNAP benefits recipients were supposed to receive the new forms. Attendees also received useful tips about how to ensure their completed documents enter their files, such as hand-delivery and using the COMPASS system.
Participants are encouraged to obtain help from MHP staff and their case managers to complete the forms. Stay tuned for additional training on the SNAP forms as well as for medical and disability benefits in coming months.
| | |
Looking for a career where your work truly matters? At MHP, we walk alongside individuals on their recovery journeys — and we’re looking for compassionate teammates who want to make a real impact.
We offer exceptional benefits, including up to 39.5 paid days off per year (after first 90 days), medical, dental, and vision coverage (effective after 30 days), tuition reimbursement, retirement contributions, and more.
Right now, we have 24 open positions, including a full-time Site Maintenance & Repair Technician. This role is based out of our office at 833 Chestnut Street but supports all of our locations in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties. The pay rate is $21 - $26 per hour based on experience.
Learn more about the Site Maintenance & Repair Technician position and view all open jobs at MHP.
| | | | |
