Mental Health PlaybookCitygate Network
- Geographic Focus: North America and the Caribbean
- Mission: Citygate Network exists to equip ministries to transform lives from suffering to flourishing through the gospel
- Operating Budget: $2,196,420
- People Served:
- Homeless individuals, including single parents with children
- Veterans struggling with mental illness, substance abuse and PTSD
- Individuals struggling with mental illness and/or addictions
- Focus Areas and Core Competencies: Citygate Network is a movement of gospel-powered life transformation ministries which champion the poor, marginalized, hungry, homeless, abused and addicted. The organization boldly brings God’s message of hope and transformation to people in the most challenging and difficult places.
Impact Statement
Founded in 1906, Citygate Network empowers over 320 faith-based crisis shelters and life transformation ministries across North America to provide compassionate care and drive lasting change for individuals grappling with homelessness, addiction and poverty.
A conversation with Tom De Vries, CEO and president of Citygate Network
Q: What is the mission of your organization? What specific areas related to mental health challenges are you working to solve?
Our mission is to empower and support ministries across North America dedicated to life transformation through holistic, faith-based care for individuals and families facing critical challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental health issues and addiction.
We bolster these ministries by equipping leaders with necessary tools, fostering robust connections and amplifying their voices to inspire significant change both regionally and nationally. By invigorating their efforts, we ensure that Citygate Network member ministries are well-prepared to address the comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual needs of vulnerable populations, guiding them toward recovery, stability and restoration.
Q: How do you describe the big goals your organization is working to achieve? How do you measure impact?
Citygate Network is committed to transforming the lives of those facing homelessness and poverty by offering holistic, faith-based care through our network of life-transformation ministries. We focus on providing a comprehensive continuum of care, particularly for individuals with severe mental health challenges. This includes shelter, mental health services, addiction recovery, spiritual support and pathways to achieving self-sufficiency.
We are committed to addressing systemic barriers by advocating for solutions to issues such as housing affordability, income inequality and underfunded mental health services, thereby tackling the root causes of homelessness and mental illness.
Furthermore, we strive to enhance access to holistic care by equipping and connecting member ministries, multiplying their impact by supplying tools and resources that enable them to provide integrated care addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. This approach fosters sustainable recovery and flourishing for those they serve.
To quantify our impact, Citygate Network is working to implement the Human Flourishing Index. This framework assesses well-being across multiple dimensions, including mental and physical health, purpose and social relationships.
By adopting this data-driven approach, we aim to track long-term outcomes and showcase the transformative impact of the care provided within our network. This will highlight how our members contribute to the holistic flourishing of individuals and communities.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges the organization has experienced working to accomplish its mission? How did your organization overcome those challenges?
Citygate Network has faced several significant challenges in supporting life transformation ministries that are serving people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with severe mental health issues and generational poverty.
One major challenge has been the limited resources and funding for mental health services. Many ministries struggle to secure sufficient funding for comprehensive mental health care, such as professional counseling and psychiatric services. To address this, Citygate Network encourages building partnerships, seeking grants, and advocating for policy changes that increase such funding. We are also developing training and tools that help ministries maximize their resources and implement sustainable mental health care models.
Another challenge has been coordinating care. Individuals experiencing homelessness often cycle through temporary assistance without receiving long-term solutions due to gaps between emergency services, mental health care and housing. Citygate Network supports member ministries by promoting holistic care models that integrate mental health services, housing and supportive care. We also encourage ministries to build partnerships between community providers and hospitals to close gaps in care and ensure continuous support for individuals.
Systemic barriers, such as the lack of affordable housing and underfunded mental health services, have presented obstacles contributing to rising rates of homelessness and mental illness. In response, Citygate Network advocates for policy reforms addressing housing affordability, mental health care and substance abuse recovery. We work closely with local governments to enhance collaboration with our members and faith-based ministries.
Lastly, stigma and public perception have created challenges in generating public support and reducing the shame that prevents individuals from seeking help. To combat this, Citygate Network focuses on educational campaigns, shares success stories and humanizes those served by our member ministries. Initiatives like “Conversations from a Bench” aim to raise awareness and shift the narrative around homelessness and mental illness.
Q: What are the organization’s biggest needs? How can philanthropists help your organization achieve its goals?
Citygate Network is focused on expanding resources to help member ministries provide care to individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those with severe mental health challenges. Our network supports ministries that offer shelter, mental health services and recovery programs, but there are key areas where philanthropic support can make a significant impact.
There’s a critical need for increased funding for mental health services, including access to professionals and psychiatric care. Affordable housing is another crucial component, as it’s often a barrier to recovery. Supporting transitional programs and permanent supportive housing can help individuals secure stable homes.
Capacity building and staff training are vital for managing complex mental health cases and delivering trauma-informed care. Philanthropic support can fund training programs and partnerships with mental health experts. Additionally, advocacy and policy change are essential for addressing systemic issues such as income inequality and housing affordability.
By partnering with Citygate Network, philanthropists can help amplify our efforts to provide comprehensive care, develop sustainable housing solutions and push for policy reforms, ultimately transforming lives.
Q: Beyond the organization, where should philanthropists who care about advancing knowledge related to improving mental health invest their charitable dollars?
Two ministries demonstrating commitment to compassionate and Christ-centered mental health care are Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and The Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston, Texas.
Contact Our Team
Contact the Roundtable’s Programs team to learn more about this investment opportunity.