This letter was written by Pamela, a mother of a youth who lived at SAY’s Tamayo House from November 2007 to June 2009.
I am writing to express my appreciation and support for Social Advocates For Youth (SAY). This organization’s critically needed programs benefit our community in so many ways, particularly for mentally ill youth. I can attest to its effectiveness in one young man’s life.
I first learned about SAY several years ago through a group called Parents Supporting Parents (PSP). I had joined PSP for help in dealing with my teenage son’s out of control behavior, which would be explained by a later diagnosis of mental illness. But during this time I assumed I was dealing with extreme teen rebelliousness and sadly discovered there were few community resources to help families in crisis, particularly for youth.
PSP members often cited the SAY teen shelter as an emergency resource and my son used it on several occasions. He also helped a friend escape a violent home environment by taking him there. I learned about SAY’s counseling and referral services along the way, and took advantage of them.
After a psychotic break my son was finally diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2007 and medical intervention began to stabilize his life. But he was unable to live independently, so housing became a major issue. There appeared to be nothing available for youth. Then I discovered SAY’s transitional housing program at Tamayo House.
I learned about this remarkable program purely by coincidence – I work for the County of Sonoma and employees of the mental health department would occasionally come into my office. One day out of desperation I asked one of these employees whether he knew of any programs that might help a homeless mentally ill teen. I almost fell over when he told me he worked for Project Hope and the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) program, which partnered with SAY’s transitional housing program. He said that my son seemed like the perfect candidate and we began the process of applying. He was accepted into the TAY program and eventually found a spot at Tamayo House.
This wonderful facility provides a safe place to live and a path to self-sufficiency for mentally ill youth. Discovering [Tamayo House] seemed like a miracle, since I was in a very desperate situation up to that point…my son’s illness hadn’t completely stabilized yet and our relationship had deteriorated to the point that I felt unsafe around him. I couldn’t allow him in the house, yet there was nowhere else for him to go. At times he lived in my garage or in a tent in the back yard.
I never knew what I’d find when I returned home from work and constantly hoped he’d suffer a psychotic break severe enough to require extended hospitalization, just so he’d have a roof over his head. It was a terrible time.
But through TAY and SAY he found a secure and comfortable home. He lived at Tamayo House from November 2007 until June 2009, and during that time he acquired essential living skills and learned how to communicate and work cooperatively with others. The foundation he received has enabled him to move into a subsidized studio apartment and live on his own for the first time in his life.
I can’t say enough about the good work SAY does. Without its help I’m certain my son would be homeless and his illness much worse than it is. He’d have none of the skills that are enabling him to live semi-independently and attend the local community college.
Mentally ill youth are a particularly vulnerable population, and programs like SAY provide a critical safety net that wouldn’t otherwise exist. My son is living proof that SAY is measurably improving the lives of youth in our community.
Sincerely, Pamela
