Brian (a pseudonym) is a man who spent eighteen years in one of New Jersey’s state psychiatric hospitals receiving treatment for schizophrenia. When Brian was approached by Triple C Housing for an interview for placement in the community, he and his family were unsure of how he would adjust to community living. Brian was scared to leave the hospital and his mother did not think it a good idea, however, after careful transition planning for his move from the hospital to the community, Brian moved into a group home with Triple C Housing.

Now, after some time spent at Triple C Housing without relapse, Brian is an active participant in many new agency initiatives developed to address the individual needs and desires expressed by residents. Brian enjoys his involvement in a program called “Project AWARE-advancing wellness and recovery education”, an innovative training program offered at Triple C Housing centered on the principles of Wellness and Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Residents are offered training classes and “hands-on” experience accessing and utilizing community resources. Brian reports he loves to go on the internet at the library and look up sports trivia and that riding the bus to get to places is fun and easy to do. Not only did his range of capabilities expand, but also his comfort with accessing community resources and being a part of mainstream community activities.

Brian’s recovery efforts within Project AWARE have led him to access other opportunities at Triple C Housing as well, namely the Family Initiative, in which residents and family members partcipate in group-centered, problem-solving sessions to target current barriers to successful community living. Thanks to this new program, Brian has met with and communicated more effectively with not only his mother, but his sister whom he hadn’t seen in ten years.

After spending eighteen years of his life in an institution, Brian has been out in the community without relapse over six years, since his January anniversary of discharge. His increased insight into his illness, his involvement in initiatives designed to increase self sufficiency and connections to mainstream resources, combined with his community tenure, are just some of the ways in which Brian has achieved recovery from mental illness.

The programs offered at Triple C Housing support the successes of persons recovering from mental illness so they can be active members of their communities and thrive in their pursuits. The grassroots community support services and housing options provided by Triple C Housing, Inc. offer individuals with mental health needs a range of housing options, from transitional to permanent housing, coupled with community based services.  Triple C Housing does not attempt to fit an individual with unique needs into a rigid model of service; rather, Triple C recognizes the basic need for individuation and self-determination to succeed, and values the experiences and contributions of our consumers.