Toby House, Inc.

For Jake, it’s the difference between eating uninviting, institutional food in a crowded room at the State Hospital or enjoying creative, healthy meals in a comfortable dining room at his home-like residence. For Ed, it’s the difference between being tortured by voices in his head and a life on the streets or a quieted mind thanks to medication and learning with peers in a classroom setting. For Maria, it’s the difference between serving time in jail, fearful of possible victimization or spending productive time with a crew doing cleaning or yard maintenance.

For these adults suffering from severe mental illness, it’s the difference between isolation and derision or dignity and respect. For these tormented men and women with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other serious brain disorders, it’s Toby House that makes the difference.

• Brian came to 24-hour care at Toby House shortly after his 21st birthday. He was constantly picking fights with others, pushing their "hot buttons", exhibiting very provocative behavior. His disheveled appearance was just another manifestation of the chaos inside his head. Working with a behaviorist on behavioral modification and taking appropriate medication to calm his actions have changed his life. He now takes pride in his appearance, studies for GED classes and works twice a week. Brian has recently stepped down to16-hour supervision.
• Theresa found her way to Toby House after years of exhibiting unpredictable, impulsive, self-destructive behavior. A place to call home, compassionate treatment and proper medication enabled her to finally feel safe. This woman, who never had anyone she could count on, found stability, support and direction at last.
• Madeline grinned now that she had teeth. She obviously feels better and she's able to eat more thanks to her new dentures from Toby House. Maddy finally enjoys mealtimes at Toby House.
• Jim has schizophrenia and has been at Toby House for several years after release from the Arizona State Hospital. He had been uncommunicative, monosyllabic and distant. All that changed when staff found out that his family had always called him by his middle name, Leo, so as not to confuse him with his father, Jim Sr. Once staff started calling him Leo, he began to act differently - he had conversations, he participated in activities, he even managed to stay awake all day. Ah, if they were all as easy as that!
• Rosie was the youngest of 6 children and endured an impoverished childhood with parents who were either drunk or fighting, and sometimes both. No one could blame her for running off with the first guy who expressed interest. Unfortunately, he also was violent. She left with her daughter and seemed to be managing. Then, she was raped and tortured; thus beginning several years of bouncing in and out of psychiatric hospitals until she ended up at Toby House. She's now working on her post-traumatic stress, attending community college and living independently at Toby III. Rosie's life has hope.
• Delbert has been part of our Outpatient Day Treatment program for years. He often came in hungry, dirty and disheveled. They weren't taking very good care of him at his Supervisory Care facility, but Delbert was afraid to "rock the boat" and wouldn't listen to staff entreaties to come to Toby House. The last time he came to Day Treatment, however, he was not only dirty and hungry; he was angry! That was just enough for staff to jump into action on his behalf and get him referred to Toby House residential care. Since coming to Toby House, Delbert has never looked so good!
• Ben hated vegetables all his life. He didn't even want them on his plate. You can imagine how surprised his mother was when he asked for them while visiting at dinner one night. Ben is a resident of Toby House and is beginning to understand, thanks to the Toby House focus on treating the whole person, what it takes to live a healthy life. His newfound appreciation for nutritional eating, exercise and a calm mealtime environment all play a roll in helping Ben feel better about himself.

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