PHOENIX (STN) – In the critical first hours after someone becomes homeless, the decisions made and support received can shape their entire path forward. That’s why Keys to Change and its Key Campus are focused on what happens during those first 72 hours, a window of time they say can be the difference between long-term recovery and long-term struggle.
According to Richard Crews from Keys to Change, that process begins before a person even sets foot on a campus. “It starts with our outreach team,” he explained. “We’re going into the spaces where society forgets, making contact, building trust.”
From there, individuals are brought to access points and welcome centers where case managers begin assessments and help craft a personalized housing plan.
Solving homelessness starts in the first three days:
“It’s so much more than what you see on the street,” Crews said. “And it’s more than just finding shelter. Shelter is a safe space, but it’s just the beginning.”
Michael Piccioli of Keys to Change shared a firsthand example of how impactful that beginning can be. After offering assistance to a man named Shawn, who had already taken initiative to find work and shelter on his own, Piccioli introduced him to resources, including flexible funding and housing options, that accelerated his journey off the streets.
Shawn and his partner, Nyela, soon found themselves with a new lease on life.
“He gave us some paperwork, showed us different apartments,” Shawn recalled. “It was a goal that was completed. I was ready for the next thing in life.”
“He restored my hope,” Nyela added. “I’m glad I met him. It was a great feeling.”
For Piccioli, the work is personal. “Part of my journey is seeking redemption. Whether it’s just a conversation or helping someone into housing, it gives me purpose,” he said. “Seeing them living life, just normal life, is amazing.”
