May 6, 2026
Temple Public Policy Students Partner with MHP
Temple public policy students partner with MHP to analyze housing systems and propose solutions for supportive housing and mental health care.
by Grace Savage, Natalie Mason, Edward Atinya, Madisyn Palmquist, Karly Farrell
Working with Mental Health Partnerships (MHP) as our capstone client has been one of the most meaningful and formative experiences of this program. Through this project, we had the opportunity to engage deeply with the complexities of housing policy and homeless service systems across Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, while contributing to work that has real implications for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Our team conducted a comprehensive policy and financial assessment of county housing plans, which strengthened our ability to analyze budget details, identify gaps in funding, evaluate program effectiveness, and think critically about how systems can better support people who critically need permanent supportive housing and wraparound services. In particular, exploring strategies counties can pursue to more sustainably fund permanent supportive housing development, as well as strategies that can be utilized to combat and overcome NIMBY opposition strengthened our understanding of how to shape politically feasible and impactful policies, as well as how to build a strong advocacy coalition around a policy issue. Working through these project deliverables helped us to wholistically understand the intersection of housing stability and mental health outcomes, while honing our research abilities and challenging us to quickly become subject matter experts on housing policy and related issues.
Beyond technical skills, this experience exposed us to the practical challenges of policy implementation, such as navigating political constraints, disjointed service delivery and complex service delivery systems, and the realities of community opposition stalling affordable housing development. Researching best practices from other jurisdictions and translating those insights into actionable recommendations pushed us to think creatively and strategically.
MHP’s mission and approach grounded this work in a clear sense of purpose. MHP’s commitment to advocacy, coalition-building, and person-centered services highlighted the importance of aligning policy solutions with the lived realities of those most affected. In particular, insights from our site visit to MHP’s Delco location were particularly informative to our project, and allowed us to ground recommendations in the day-to-day, lived experiences of participants and staff.
Overall, working with MHP on this capstone project reinforced our interest in housing and human services policy and strengthened our ability to produce work that is both analytically rigorous and practically relevant, and left us feeling prepared and confident to contribute more effectively to policy and advocacy efforts in our professional careers.
Related Reading from Our Advocacy Corner
Stay informed and inspired by exploring more stories from our Advocacy Corner. From uplifting community visits to powerful policy insights and personal recovery journeys, these articles spotlight the people and progress shaping mental health advocacy today.
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Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities
From peer-led recovery programs to statewide advocacy and education, our work touches thousands of lives every year. These numbers reflect our deep commitment to accessible, compassionate, and person-centered mental health support across Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
11,703
Total participants served
30+
active programs across the region
1,204
participants trained each year
9,180
participants supported through direct services
5,615
outreach contacts with people experiencing homelessness
1,319
engaged in community advocacy
Real Stories of Hope and Recovery
We’re here to champion every journey to wellness, offering unwavering support and transformational advocacy. Together, we foster resilience and recovery—so everyone can thrive and live their fullest life in the community, free from barriers to mental health care.
"I'm so grateful for the community that's here and the people that I get to work with in a way that they inspire me every day."
"Every experience I've had with MHP thus far has been great, from the training to being able to get support, a community, sponsorships to go places I never thought I'd go."
"MHP has given me so much, I want to give back."
"Give you your own purpose, you know, just like doing something more. Just a good feeling for me. Now I can be productive."
"MHP has a long history of being a really trusted and reliable resource for peer specialists.
So these experiences already live within your walls."
"The incredible empowerment and the impact that peers have in the field of mental health."
"There's something really, really powerful that happens when you're connecting with someone who's sitting across from you and says, you know, I see you and I hear you. Because I've been there."
"...and just that little click. Wow, it's so powerful just to have somebody who understands exactly how you feel, because we can sympathize all day, but to have somebody else in the room with me, to say, I've done it too, I've experienced that too, allows for a bond that goes beyond words."
"That opened me up to talk to other people so I could coach them and have them get the aha moment again. I did it and I'm glad that I got into new ways of thinking."
"I'm able to be helpful just to know that, like, all that hard work I put through actually paid off."
"And I hope that everybody would get the opportunity to connect with that organization"
"At Mental Health Partnerships. Together..."
"Together..."
"Together..."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"We build hope."
"We build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Period!"
Guiding Principles for Empowerment and Growth
At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast commitment to core values that shape every aspect of our work. These values—rooted in hope, empowerment, and respect—guide us in fostering environments where individuals can thrive, exercise self-determination, and pursue lifelong learning. By embracing a holistic, non-judgmental, and culturally aware approach, we empower individuals to achieve their full potential and contribute to their communities.
Together, We Build Hope
At Mental Health Partnerships, we are dedicated to fostering hope and resilience. Our mission is to create a supportive environment where individuals can regain control of their mental health and live fulfilling lives. We offer personalized care that aligns with your unique needs and helps you connect with a community that cares.
Real Stories of Hope & Gratitude
Hear directly from individuals whose lives have been touched by our programs and services. Whether it’s case management, family support, or peer-led guidance, these stories showcase the power of compassionate care and unwavering belief in every person’s potential for recovery and growth.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
At MHP, we understand that the journey to mental wellness can feel overwhelming. With peer-led support, proven resources, and a warm, caring community, we’re here to guide you through every step—so you never have to walk this path alone.