Changing Spaces Offers New Path to a Home

For decades, ICL has been at the forefront of designing programs to better meet the needs of people experiencing the most serious mental health challenges. That spirit of innovation continued last fall with ICL launching Changing Spaces, a new program created to move to permanency and stability people experiencing long-term street homelessness, those living on subways, or individuals being discharged from a hospital stay.

Changing Spaces is located in a warm, private, home-like setting where a small group of clients receive high-touch, person-centered, and trauma-informed services from a team of professionals who provide counseling and connect individuals with whole health services. The ultimate goal is to find suitable, permanent housing for each individual within 30 days.

The program is a partnership with the state’s Office of Mental Health, works collaboratively with the city’s Safe Options Support (SOS) teams, and is part of the larger state and city effort to better address the needs of people with serious mental illness living on the streets.

A Trip to Broadway for Better Health 

Years ago, former ICL CEO David Woodlock and his wife, Kristen, wanted to give children and families facing significant hardships and receiving services at ICL the opportunity to experience something new and have some fun. They also understood that these types of experiences are important to a whole health approach that supports people in getting better. David and Kristen took participants to dinner and to see a Broadway show, and a tradition was born. Upon David’s retirement, ICL set up The David and Kristin Woodlock Arts Fund.  This past December, thanks to generous donors, David Woodlock and ICL’s CEO Jody Rudin took ICL families to see “Circus Abyssinia: Tulu,” a production about Ethiopian runner Derartu Tulu’s trailblazing 1992 gold medal win. The experience left families smiling ear to ear.

You can help families experience the joys of the theater – and give parents a much-needed fun night out – by supporting The David and Kristin Woodlock Arts Fund.  Learn more here.

One of the biggest news stories in recent months is the city and state’s response to the mental health crisis.  ICL’s CEO, Jody Rudin, was featured in several important stories about the proposed changes, including:

• New York’s Plan to Address Crisis of Mentally Ill Faces High Hurdles The New York Times 11/30/22
• How to Help New Yorkers Experiencing Psychosis WNYC Brian Lehrer Show 12/9/22
• Hochul to Unveil a $1 Billion Plan to Tackle Mental Illness in New York The New York Times 1/10/23
• Formerly Homeless New Yorker Finds Rehabilitation Through Art Therapy NY1 1/18/23

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Thanks to Our 2022 Donors 

Thank you to all those who made a financial contribution to ICL in 2022. Thanks to you, ICL:

And thanks to you, we can continue to ensure our services are person-centered, trauma-informed, and whole-health focused, meeting clients where they are and providing them with the dignity of self-directed care.