Phoenix Community Development Services

Last Saturday, Phoenix CDS was proud to participate in the Care Fair at Solvera Health.

This event gave us the opportunity to connect with other organizations and share resources available throughout our community. Krystal and Harmony represented our Outreach Team and helped attendees learn more about the services Phoenix CDS provides.

Events like these are also a chance for us to learn from our community partners and strengthen the network of support available in Peoria.

By working together to promote health, wellness, employment, education, and other vital resources, we can continue Turning Lives Around.

Huge shout out to our friends at Adam Merrick Real Estate - Peoria for their donation to our Medical Respite Program - The Bridge.

The other day, their team dropped off food to help support the individuals staying at The Bridge while they recover. This program provides short term residential care for individuals experiencing homelessness who need a safe place to recover after illness or hospitalization.

Donations like these help ensure individuals can focus on healing without worrying about food insecurity.

Support from our community is one more way we continue Turning Lives Around.

We want to thank Carol and her great nephew for their donation of a bed today.

Donations like these make a real difference for the individuals we serve. When someone moves into housing, they often have very little of their own. Items like bed frames, new mattresses, and other everyday essentials help turn an empty space into a home.

Their donation will directly support an individual who recently moved in and did not have a bed to call their own.

Because of support from our community, we can continue Turning Lives Around.

We want to take a moment to recognize Tricia, our Outreach Program Manager.

Tricia has been with Phoenix CDS for more than 3 years and brings a unique perspective to our team through her lived experience and dedication to helping others.

Today, we celebrate her graduation from ICC with her associate degree. We are excited to continue cheering her on as she pursues her bachelor's degree at Liberty University.

Tricia’s commitment to personal and professional growth helps strengthen our team and is one more way we continue Turning Lives Around.

Youth mental health and housing stability are deeply connected, but too often we treat them as separate issues.

For many young people, homelessness is not just about lacking shelter. It can create trauma, disrupt education, strain relationships, and make it difficult to access consistent care and support. Children who are homelessness are less likely to graduate than children with other barriers, including those involved in juvenile justice systems.

Youth experiencing homelessness are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use challenges, and suicidal thoughts.

At Phoenix CDS, we believe stable housing and support can change lives. Supporting youth through housing, services, and stability is one more way we continue Turning Lives Around.

Representatives from the Contiumm of Care, the City of Peoria Illinois - Government , and Phoenix CDS recently attended the Home Illinois Summit.

At the summit, our community partners had the opportunity to learn more about statewide changes, housing initiatives, workforce development, and other important topics related to homelessness in Peoria.

Phoenix CDS also had the opportunity to lead discussions and help educate programs from across the state by sharing the work being done here in our community.

Our goal is to continue bringing new ideas, collaboration, and knowledge back to Peoria so we can better support the individuals and families we serve.

Continuing professional development is how our community can continue Turning Lives Around.

We want to thank our friends at Chosen Again Resale Shoppe for their continued support of Phoenix CDS.

During the month of April, we had the opportunity to volunteer on site, learn more about their organization does, and see firsthand the impact they make in our community.

Support from organizations like Chosen Again helps us continue serving individuals and families throughout our programs.

When community partners come together to support one another, we can continue Turning Lives Around.

Last week was a busy one as Phoenix CDS helped house Sierra and her five children.

After relocating from Champaign, finding stable housing for a family of six was not easy. Thankfully, our team was able to step in and help. Last Friday, Luz assisted the family as they moved into their new home. Because of these efforts, they were able to spend Mother’s Day together in a safe and stable place.

Stories like this are why we continue working hard every day to keep Turning Lives Around.

Today we spent time enjoying each other’s company at our talent show.

From art and singing to dancing and cooking, so many talents were shared and celebrated. Events like this remind us that sometimes it is not about making a huge impact. Sometimes it is simply about coming together as a community.

Building community and connection is one more way Phoenix CDS continues Turning Lives Around.