Where will you sleep tonight?

Hello, my name is Clayton Nelson.  I am an undergraduate student majoring in Urban and Metropolitan Studies with a minor in Parks and Protected Areas Management at Arizona State University's Downtown Phoenix campus.  I am in my final semester at ASU and I have had a wonderful, exciting experience.

In the spring of 2011 a professor of mine raised some thought provoking questions about the urban landscape in Phoenix.  She asked what factors make Phoenix a nice place to live?  I thought about it; weather, open space, outdoor activities, etc.  Then she asked what factors make Phoenix not such a nice place to live?  My first thought was the homeless.  I pictured myself walking to the Phoenix campus and being accosted by multiple individuals asking for money or food.  These individuals make me feel uncomfortable because I want to help them but I am afraid they will spend the money I give them on drugs or alcohol.  I knew there must be a better way to help.  My professor gave the class the option of volunteering at a homeless shelter.  I thought, this can be my way to help.

NOVA Safe Haven is a homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix for adults with severe mental illnesses.  There are 25 full time residents living on the campus, that have access to showers, food, and air conditioning.  Other individuals can come in as day clients and eat and shower, but must leave at night.  Many of these individuals have been homeless for many years, most living outdoors in bushes and underpasses.  I must admit, at first I was nervous about working inside a homeless shelter.  The little experience I had was not positive with this population and I assumed most interactions would be negative.  I am happy to say I was dead wrong.   

I met Cynthia Brooks on a sunny Monday morning in March.  She gave me a tour of the campus and told me about the mission of Safe Haven:
           

"NOVA Safe Haven will provide quality, cost effective services to homeless persons with a serious mental illness. A day Drop In Program combined with residential services as well as supportive services will engage individuals and prepare them to achieve the goals of increased sufficiency, stability, and greater self-determination which will lead to permanent housing."

My adventure had begun and little did I know how much I would grow as a person.