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Dear MHP Community,
This month’s newsletter highlights something we see every day at MHP: recovery happens in community. Whether it’s helping someone maintain stability through our Representative Payee program, creating spaces for connection through programs like Compeer and Homeward Bound, or bringing lived experience into policy conversations across Pennsylvania, our work is rooted in relationships and trust.
I’m also proud to recognize the leadership and collaboration across our organization that make this work possible. The impact you’ll read about here reflects the dedication of staff, volunteers, partners, and participants working together to build stronger communities.
Thank you for being part of that work.
With much gratitude,
Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski, President & CEO
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Last year was a blockbuster for MHP - a year of expansion and continued development. We added new programs, strengthened relationships with partners, served more participants across all programs, maintained financial strength while expanding our impact, and saw exponential growth in our Institute - including steps toward expansion in Florida.
Earlier in February, our senior leadership team gathered for breakfast and our own “Leadership Oscars.”
As our CEO, Jeannine L. Lisitski, PhD shared, “This recognition isn’t about a single moment. It’s about a body of work. It’s about sustained excellence, collaboration, and the impact created over time. Oscar-winning performances don’t happen in isolation. They are built through preparation, trust, and a deep commitment to something bigger than any one person. That same commitment defines how this team leads, day in and day out, often behind the scenes, always in service of our mission."
Here’s to building on strong performances and to knowing our best work is still ahead.
| | Honoring Black History Month Through Community and Connection | |
On February 20, MHP's Targeted Case Management (TCM) team hosted a Black History Month social at our 2709 North Broad Street location. The event brought together participants from all TCM teams, along with Peer Support and The Well Recovery Learning Center.
The gathering was designed to provide psychoeducation while promoting sober socialization in a welcoming, structured environment. During the event, the facilitator led a meaningful discussion highlighting the historical accomplishments of African Americans, while also acknowledging the systemic barriers and stressors that continue to impact the community.
Participants explored cultural coping strategies that have developed in response to those stressors. Activities and traditions such as line dancing, card games like Spades and Bid Whist, dominoes, Double Dutch, and the enjoyment of comfort foods reflect resilience, creativity, and collective strength across generations.
By creating a substance-free space centered on culture, education, and connection, the event offered attendees an opportunity to engage with these coping strategies firsthand while building community and celebrating shared history.
| Program Profile: Rep Payee | |
For more than 25 years, MHP’s Representative Payee program has provided steady, practical support to people navigating mental health challenges that can make day-to-day financial management difficult.
Launched in 2000, Rep Payee now serves more than 600 participants each year across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. MHP operates what is believed to be the only representative payee program in Philadelphia — a city of more than 1.5 million people — offering a critical service that helps individuals maintain housing, utilities, and financial stability.
The program is designed for individuals with a mental health diagnosis who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Most participants are low to moderate income and are referred through county agencies, case managers, or social workers. Once a participant chooses to enroll, they designate MHP as their representative payee through the Social Security Administration. MHP works closely with a dedicated liaison at Social Security to ensure the process is handled smoothly and efficiently.
From there, the focus turns to working directly with each participant to build a practical, workable plan. A member of MHP’s seven-member Rep Payee team meets with each participant — often alongside their case manager or social worker — to create a realistic monthly budget. That budget typically includes things like rent, utilities, cell phone bills, and pharmacy expenses. Staff then arrange for recurring payments to be made on schedule, either by check or electronic transfer. One-time expenses, such as a major medical procedure or essential home repair, can also be coordinated.
Many participants also utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to support their grocery needs, while MHP helps ensure that core living expenses are consistently covered. The goal is simple but powerful: stability. When rent is paid on time and utilities remain on, individuals can focus more fully on recovery, health, and community connection. As one participant, Linda, shared: "My stability has definitely changed since having a payee. I am really happy with the services and how things are going."
A central part of the program’s philosophy is building independence wherever possible. Staff work with participants to strengthen budgeting skills and financial confidence, and some individuals ultimately “graduate” from the program, resuming full control of their finances. For others, ongoing support remains essential. Mental health conditions can make financial management overwhelming or destabilizing, and for those participants — including some who have been with the program for more than a decade — MHP remains a steady, trusted partner. Continued participation is not a setback; it is a reflection of the organization’s commitment to meet people where they are and provide support for as long as needed.
Rep Payee services are about more than paying bills. They are about preserving housing, preventing crises, and creating conditions for recovery. By combining financial oversight with compassionate, person-centered support, the Rep Payee team helps ensure that hundreds of individuals each year have the stability necessary to move forward in their lives.
For Angie, a lead Rep Payee on MHP’s team, that impact is deeply personal. “Being able to contribute to my community is something I truly cherish,” Angie said. “This career has been incredibly rewarding, not only because of the work itself but because of the profound connections I’ve built with my clients."
Angie also reflects on what the work has taught her: "Working at MHP has taught me that mental health is vital in every aspect of life. Prioritizing self-care is not optional — it’s essential. My work as an MHP has also taught me the importance of managing my finances with intentionality. Taking the time to look at the bigger picture and plan ahead creates stability and peace of mind."
For a region where few organizations provide this level of specialized service, the program represents both a practical safety net and a long-standing promise: that no one has to navigate recovery and financial responsibility alone.
| Homeward Bound Takes a Trip to the Movies! | | |
Recently, members of MHP's Homeward Bound Recovery Learning Center enjoyed a community outing to Movie Tavern Flourtown for an afternoon at the movies.
Movie Tavern Flourtown offers a unique experience that combines the excitement of the big screen with a full dining menu. With cozy seating and personal tables, participants were able to relax and enjoy a comfortable viewing experience together. The menu features a wide range of options, from artisan pizzas and burgers to elevated entrées, making the outing feel like both a movie trip and a shared meal.
Community outings like this are an important part of what makes Homeward Bound special. Homeward Bound is grounded in peer support and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone. The program provides a welcoming, strengths-based environment where individuals can build community, explore wellness tools, develop life skills, and engage in meaningful social connection. Through workshops, group activities, and outings, members are supported in pursuing their goals and strengthening their recovery journeys.
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Last month, our Compeer Chester County community gathered for a joyful Winter Luncheon at Pica's Restaurant and it was an afternoon full of warmth, laughter, and connection.
Participants, volunteers, and staff came together to enjoy great food, friendly competition, and meaningful time with one another. From delicious comfort dishes to sweet treats, the meal gave everyone a chance to relax and share conversation around the table.
Events like our Winter Luncheon remind us what Compeer is all about: building supportive relationships, reducing isolation, and creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and connected.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special. We’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to gather together.
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Recovery in Mind: Building Awareness of Schizophrenia and Tardive Dyskinesia is a self-paced course created to deepen understanding, challenge stigma, and promote early intervention through education and empathy. Grounded in evidence-based information and shaped by the perspectives of individuals with lived experience, this course invites learners to better understand what it truly means to live with schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia (TD).
Throughout the 1.5 hour course, learners will explore common myths and misinformation, gain a clearer understanding of psychosis, and learn how stigma can create real and lasting harm for individuals and families. The course also takes a closer look at symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for both schizophrenia and TD, helping learners build a more accurate and compassionate understanding of these conditions.
Through real-world scenarios and practical examples, learners will discover meaningful strategies for supporting someone living with schizophrenia, TD, or experiencing psychosis. By increasing awareness and centering lived experience, Recovery in Mind encourages empathy, reduces fear and misunderstanding, and empowers learners to be informed supporters.
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Last month, community members and advocacy organizations gathered at SEPTA’s Fox Chase Station for a rally organized by Transit for All PA, calling for long-term, dedicated funding for public transportation across Pennsylvania. The message was clear: reliable transit is essential for getting to work, school, health care, and other vital services.
Mary Dunham, a targeted case manager with MHP at PeerNet Philly, spoke at a press conference in support of public transit with our partners including Transit for All PA! Her speech detailed how reliable and accessible public transit allows MHP clients to attend appointments, maintain independence, and fully participate in daily life.
She also got a chance to meet State Representative Sean Dougherty. Her speech was featured in the Northeast Times.
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Last month, MHP's CEO, Jeannine L. Lisitski, PhD wrote an Op-Ed in City & State PA about the drastic changes to funding at the federal level to Permanent Supportive Housing. In her piece, she wrote about how Permanent Supportive Housing is one of the most rigorously studied and consistently effective interventions for addressing chronic homelessness. At MHP we stand with our partners across the United States who have advocated against this drastic change in funding. Read more at the link below:
| | Montgomery County: State of the County Event | |
MHP was proud to bring participants to the Montgomery State of the County event last month with our adult advocacy coordinator Hanaa Hawthorne. Participants listened as Montgomery County Commissioners spoke about their plans for more affordable housing and how they will prioritize their county funds. Our participants also expressed appreciation for Commissioner Jamila H. Winder sharing her personal story on how addiction has impacted her family.
| Rural Health Transformation Fund | |
MHP has been actively engaged in Pennsylvania's Rural Health Transformation Fund. The RHTF is a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country. MHP has been advocating for certified peer specialists to be a part of the solution to workforce challenges in rural communities. Julie Platt from our advocacy team and Dan Miller from the Institute traveled to Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA to take part in a series of Rural Health Summits.
Julie and Dan participated in breakout groups focused on workforce development and made great connections with providers across the Commonwealth.
| Take a Minute to Thank City Council | |
MHP is asking our community of supporters to thank Philadelphia City Council for their support of Permanent Supportive Housing and their continued advocacy on funding affordable housing and homelessness services.
You can take action here! It only takes a few seconds to send a letter.
P.S. If you do not live in Philadelphia, feel free to use 833 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 as your address.
| A Day in the Life at PA State Capitol | |
In February, our adult advocacy coordinator Hanaa Hawthorne and our team brought the voices of lived experience to Harrisburg - meeting with elected officials, attending a housing press conference, and standing alongside advocates at a rally for fair districts. From legislative meetings to conversations with staff about expanding access to recovery and housing supports, these firsthand perspectives are essential to shaping policies that truly meet community needs.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect directly with leaders and ensure our experiences are heard.
State Representative Jared Solomon, Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, and State Representative Heather Boyd joined the conversation and engaged with advocates on the importance of sustainable public transit funding.
When lived experience leads the way, advocacy becomes a powerful tool for change.
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At MHP, our staff "came for the mission, and stayed for the community." 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 20 open jobs, including a part-time Psychiatric Nurse position at our 4950 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, location with a pay rate of $42 per hour. Learn more about the position and view all open jobs at MHP.
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