Peacock Apartments

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Peacock Apartments

About Us

In spit of our name, the United States Fellowship of Florida, Inc. (USFF), is a local grassroots non-profit organization limited to the Keys. We have two housing programs for those disabled due to Mental Illness.

Peacock is supportive housing in Key West. Heron is an assited living facility. Both are under the name of United States Fellowship of FL. The name is misleading. Locals wanting to provide a home for their severely mentally disabled children founded us. A home with dignity, freedom and that would provide the necessary support. We have no affiliates or a part of any other organization. USFF is the only provider of permanent supportive housing for those disabled due to mental illness in Monroe County. We are not part of a larger government or other charitable organization. Most of our residents are long term members of the community. I can not begin to explain the wonder of giving independence with support to these disabled adults. Mental illness can happen to anyone. When it happens, it usually is catastrophic to the family. Parents end up devoting their whole life to their loved one. A mentally ill adult living at home with parents is difficult. What happens when one is no longer to care for their loved one?

History and Mission

Our mission is to provide transitional and permanent low cost housing for low and very low income adult men and women who are severely mentally ill, and to provide the residents with individualized care coordination and supportive services in a proactive, competent and respectful manner. Currently we operate two supportive housing facilities.

The Peacock Apartments provide supportive housing to 24 individuals in Key West. Each resident has their own room but have common bathroom, living room and kitchen. Peacock houses individuals capable of independent living with minimal support. We are located at Poinciana
Heron located in Marathon is an assisted living facility. The Heron has operated since 1988, housing sixteen adult men and women, with diagnoses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It is a licensed Assisted Living Facility with Limited Mental Health. At Heron residents need intensive support in most activities.

Escalating costs and lack of funding for non-profits has put a great strain on our organization. In previous years our organization has had very little local support. We will have to obtain local support in whatever form to remain. Over the past 6 months we have made great strides in gaining public awareness and support. Previous administration did not focus on building capital assets (for insurance against lean times) nor promote public awareness and local support. Since our recent reorganization, we have been averaging two newspaper articles a month. Last November we had our first benefit at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, ''Beautiful Melodies for Beautiful Minds'' It was a sell out and generated over $25,000. Yet we are still working to build name recognition. Our goal is to become as well known as MARC (supportive housing for the mentally retarded). Unfortunately it takes time to develop name recognition, volunteers, and community support (fundraisers and donations).

As you know, the Florida Keys now have the highest cost of living in Florida and the fourth highest cost in the Nation. In previous years, client fees collected from residents?’ disability income (average $450 per month) covered the major expenses of running our programs. This is no longer the case due to major increases in insurance and decreases in donations from private foundations. Government funding for the mentally disabled has steadily decreased over the past decades.
Funding for the mentally disabled has been grouped with funding for the Homeless and this causes obvious problems. We have to compete for the shrinking funding with the homeless, and homelessness is a serious problem in the keys. Perhaps the state and federal government believe that it is the responsibility of the local community to support their residents whom become disabled through no fault of their own.

We are way behind the other non-profits in sponsors. We have just recently come out of the closet. Many residents and businesses have already adopted a non-profit. This is where you or your organization could be of immense help. Together we could work to promote a valuable community service.

I hope you will sympathize with the needs of mentally ill. Like so many debilitating diseases, mental illness does not discriminate. Many of our residents were very successful before becoming disabled. When this happens, it is up to the community to provide understanding and support. We must not continue to sustain funding for this population. The Keys are their home and they have nowhere to go should we cease. We need community volunteers and your support.

Sincerely,

Gary Lowe MSW
Administrative Director.
295-8693

How to Contact and Eligibility

Intakes and tours of our facilities are arranged through our central office in Marathon, the Heron. Contacts are Ceri Walden (intakes) and Clare Condra, program director. Phone 743-4129.

We provide supportive housing for those dedicated to thier recovery. There are two sets of eligiblity requirements for our programs. The Heron is an Assited Living Facility with Limited Mental Health. We require a Doctors recomendation for Heron placement.
At Peacock residents are independent. They must be able care for themselves. Supportive services are limited. We observe many residents taking thier medications and assist in scheduling Dr. appointments and assist with grocery shopping. Limited transportation is provided. In both facilities one must be diagnosed with a mental disability, have a source of income, refrain from alcohol and street drugs, and not have a history of sexual offense/violence. Peacock charges $450 a month rent and Heron charges 90% of income.

If you would like to volunteer contact Gary Lowe at Peacock 295-8693