Time goes by quickly when you’re doing something that’s needed and feels personally rewarding. As the director of shelter services at St. Vincent de Paul, I’m amazed that on July 1st, Ozanam Manor, our transitional housing program, will celebrate its 25th anniversary here in Phoenix.

During the past 25 years, with generous support from the community and help from many fine volunteers and staff, Ozanam Manor has been a refuge for over 3,000 elderly and disabled homeless men and women and offered an opportunity to help stabilize their lives and move into permanent homes. Those of us who have supported and worked for Ozanam Manor can be proud of what the program has accomplished.

Since its beginning with St. Vincent de Paul in 1985, Ozanam Manor has come a long way, not in size, but in its connections with the community. What started out with a 45-percent success rate for our clients has now grown to 62 percent overall, and our clients continue to become stronger people. From day one, our primary responsibility has been to create an environment of physical safety, dignity and respect for the residents, without which, it would be very difficult for the residents to make the major changes needed in their lives.

Perhaps that’s what sets Ozanam Manor apart from other transitional shelters—we offer so much more than a bed and three meals a day. It’s about connection and one-on-one attention. Whether someone is given an individualized plan of goals or simply a hug if they’re having a particularly bad day, the quality and expertise of our case managers and mentors has been crucial to Ozanam Manor’s success.

Although many of our residents have held jobs and raised families prior to becoming homeless, most were not aware of the programs and services available to help them with their situation. The effort needed to overcome homelessness is overwhelming and Ozanam Manor provides a safe, constructive setting to do just that. The case managers and mentors help residents feel well-connected and confident, and act as agents in helping them get back on their feet. This hands-on approach truly helps break down barriers and empower these men and women to better their lives, develop skills and transition back to independent living.

Ozanam Manor has succeeded because of the dedication of the staff, our volunteers and the residents alike. Everyone’s duty has been to work together and to look out for his or her neighbor. It’s wondrous to see how it all comes together when formerly homeless people regain confidence and start their lives over. They contact estranged family members, talk about new job or volunteer opportunities with enthusiasm, and they express most sincere appreciation for St. Vincent de Paul and its work.

As for me, working at a homeless shelter for 25 years is something I had never envisioned. I have seen a lot of good in people and have witnessed truly heartwarming stories of recovery. I have had great fun developing and implementing programs along side the staff and residents of Ozanam Manor. As we continue bettering the lives of people who are living in transitional housing, it is our hope that one day people will no longer need our services.

Click here to learn more about Ozanam Manor or click here to donate to this program today!

St. Vincent de Paul’s Ozanam Manor provides transitional housing to help homeless elderly and disabled homeless adults find decent affordable housing. It also helps serve St. Vincent de Paul’s primary goal to give people an opportunity to grow by serving the poor.

In the case I’m about to describe, two volunteer Ozanam Manor mentors needed all of the skills and compassion they could muster. The results were wonderful!

Cynthia’s husband of 13 years deserted her with three children, few job skills and a house she could not afford. She eventually lost her home to foreclosure. She became depressed, lost custody of her children and lived alone on the streets for years in shame and isolation. She said that it was her faith in God that kept her from taking her life. Finally, her family sent for her to come home to Phoenix, though they were not able to house her themselves. A domestic violence shelter referred her to Ozanam Manor where her case manager, Jamie Earl, referred her to two volunteer mentors based on her greatest needs.

The first was Jack Ryan.

Jack is a retired accountant who in his life had accumulated a great deal of wisdom about how the world works. He accompanied Cynthia to court and helped her to clear her driving record. The judged waived all fines and sentenced her to 300 community service hours, which Cynthia chose to complete at St. Vincent de Paul. Cynthia said that it was a “fulfilling experience” since she understood the struggles of homeless people so well.

Cynthia’s second mentor was Wanda Conte.

Wanda helped Cynthia set up a budget plan and clear up her credit history so that she would be able to rent an apartment. Under Wanda’s tutelage, Cynthia sent letters to her creditors. She arranged affordable payments where she could clear them from her credit history. During September 2008, after 11 months at Ozanam Manor, Cynthia was able to move into a HUD-subsidized apartment in Phoenix. Now that she is able to live independently, Cynthia said that she is very happy with her life and has her “joyful spirit” back. All of Cynthia’s family continues to lives in Phoenix and be supportive.

Richard “Mike” Bell is St. Vincent de Paul’s Director of Shelter Services and is responsible for the Society’s Ozanam Manor transitional housing program for elderly and disabled homeless adults. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and has a M.A. in Psychology from Michigan State University. He has also studied environmental psychology and social work at Arizona State University. In 2005, Mike was awarded a Virginia G. Piper fellowship that included site visits to research best practices in services to homeless people. Mike spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, teaching psychology at the National University in the Malay language. There, he met his future wife, Philomena, at a Hash House Harriers run. They spent their honeymoon climbing Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo in pouring rain, but saw a glorious sunrise at the summit above the clouds. Mike and Philomena’s daughter, Elaine, lives in Manhattan and is a chartering executive for a shipping company.