Christine Gibson Peer Support House
Resources for Human Development (RHD) is a national human services nonprofit with the broadest possible service mission, specializing in creating innovative, quality services that support people of all abilities, wherever the need exists. Founded in 1970, RHD supports more than 135 human service programs across the country, serving tens of thousands of people every year with caring and effective programs addressing intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery and more.
The Christine Gibson Peer Support House (CGPSH) is part of a wide-ranging initiative from the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) that aims to reduce justice involvement for people with mental health illness by decreasing their length of stay in jail or in a hospital, minimizing reincarceration, and improving connections to services. It provides at-risk Philadelphians with a holistic means of returning to the community from jail or hospital. This holistic approach utilizes peer-driven residential services to cultivate empowerment, deliver psychological support, and provide rapid connections to treatment, housing, and other resources. The focus on peer-driven services is especially important as the CGPSH offers residents the opportunity to be empowered and guided by Certified Peer Specialists who have lived experience with mental health illness, substance use, and/or legal system involvement. The house, named after the late Christine Gibson, will provide residential supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Who We Serve?
The Christine Gibson Peer Support House will offer eight Philadelphians (ages 18 or older) accommodations, meals, links to community services, behavioral health support and supervision, and peer support and wellness/recovery planning for up to 30 days post-release.
Having had current or recent involvement with the legal system, the residents may be court-mandated to participate in behavioral health and/or substance use services but will not be court-committed to the residence. Since referrals will be generated through the legal system, the Behavioral Health and Justice Division (BHJD) of DBHIDS will facilitate all referrals for the CGPSH. To refer a person to CGPSH, please submit a referral through the BHJD Virtual Resource Hub at: https://pmhcc.formstack.com/forms/bhjd_virtual_hub_referral_form. In the notes section of the referral, state that you want to refer the person to CGPSH.
About Christine
Christine Elaine Gibson was born October 5, 1966, in Wilmington, Delaware. She graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services in 2009, and in 2013, received her Master of Social Work degree from Widener University. After graduation, she worked with Team Arrive, holding various positions.
In June of 2017, Ms. Gibson became the Unit Director of United Peers, which is a peer-run, wellness, and recovery center for people with MH/Co-Occurring disorders who want to enrich their lives through wellness and educational sessions. As someone who went through recovery herself, Christine used a trauma-informed approach in her role at United Peers. She endured and triumphed many of life’s challenges, proving one’s past doesn’t have to predict their future.
Christine was suddenly taken from us on February 6, 2021, in Philadelphia, PA. This house is dedicated to her memory and will serve as her legacy.
Contact Information
Marvin White, CPS, Forensic Peer Specialist Site Supervisor, CGPSH
267-921-1400
