On April 4, 2024, Plymouth Healing Communities (PHC) hosted an appreciation gathering over tea to celebrate the sustained relationship in community with Horizon House (HH). As a strategic partner, HH supports PHC’s ability to provide supportive housing to individuals experiencing mental health challenges to break cycles of hospitalization, homelessness, and possible contact with the criminal legal system.
Robie Flanagan, as PHC Board President, shared reflections on her long-term journey with PHC, and how PHC taught her so much as a peer counselor to residents, emphasizing PHC’s model of companioning as developed by Chaplain Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm.
Dakota Dixon, PHC Program Manager, presented on community based programs, quality interactions with residents and the importance of the companionship model and its four components.
Jane Dunkel, former PHC Board President, shared of her deep learning as a current companion with focus on mutuality of growth for both the resident and for herself as a companion
PHC traces its roots to the leadership and vision of UCC Chaplain Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, who created a ministry to meet folks where they are—living on the streets and experiencing mental health challenges without support.
While PHC anticipates that change is inevitable with the changing landscape of unmet needs in the community, including but not limited to acute mental health, what is clear and certain is the model of companioning—a signature part of PHC’s identity, is going to remain at the center of PHC’s future.
New and longtime supporters of PHC were present, including founding board members, Karen Gwilym and Nancy Smith, and others who are members in covenant with Plymouth Church UCC. They are deeply invested in civic engagement and the continuity of PHC to provide healing, care and supportive housing to individuals who would otherwise be unhoused.
HH stakeholders are deeply committed to civic engagement and wish to see people of Seattle thrive. HH stakeholders shared stories of participating in the gardening at the sites and supporting residents in their wellness, recovery and healing. understands its social location of power and privilege to share resources and to use monies as medicine to help our communities heal.
With the changing landscape in Seattle and the need for a strategic plan moving foward, PHC navigates with hope and excitement as PHC’s Strategic Planning Advisory Committee devices its recommendations over the next several months to ensure PHC operations are sustainable and responsive to the growing needs of the diverse community we serve.
The strategic planning process will remain confidential until the PHC board is prepared to share out. PHC will provide updates to stakeholders such as HH and its residents, who are invited into the strategic planning process by giving input and staying along in the journey.
Marcia Almquist, PHC Board member, long time supporter of PHC and co-chair for the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, hosted everyone splendidly. The afternoon ended with Macrina cookie treats for the residents in attendance to say thank you for sustaining the important life and meaningful work of PHC.
We are grateful to Horizon House for our ongoing strategic partnership. Please look forward to ongoing communications with updates on the Strategic Planning process via the PHC blog at http://plyhc.org/blog as well as personal one on one conversations going forward.