Mychal's Story: The Link Between Housing and Mental Health

Since 2011, Lacasa has provided Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to individuals experiencing homelessness, referred to us by Oaklawn. Unlike temporary shelters, PSH offers a stable, permanent home where tenants can live as long as they choose. They also have the option to receive supportive services from Oaklawn staff, helping them build stability in their lives.

We currently operate three PSH locations in Goshen and Elkhart, recognizing that housing is more than just a roof over someone’s head—it’s a foundation for change. When someone is unhoused, their focus is on survival: Where will they sleep tonight? What will they eat? By providing stable housing, we remove that daily uncertainty, allowing individuals to focus on their health, well-being, and future.

This is a high-mission program that is incredibly important for our community, but it is also expensive to operate. To help offset costs, we have installed solar panels on our buildings, reducing energy expenses. However, we rely on continued funding to build and maintain these homes, ensuring that those in need have a safe, stable place to live.

One of our tenants, Mychal, has graciously allowed us to share his incredible journey—from experiencing homelessness to finding support at Oaklawn and ultimately a home with Lacasa. We hope his story inspires you and encourages you to support our work, helping us continue to build strong foundations for everyone in our community.