Heroes Of The Homeless Crisis: How Maryum Phillips Of ‘Status: Home’ Is Helping To Support Some Of The Most Vulnerable People In Our Communities
Iron sharpens iron — surround yourself with people who can inspire, motivate and challenge you to do more
As a part of my series about “Heroes Of The Homeless Crisis” I had the pleasure of interviewing Maryum Phillips.
Maryum Phillips is an innovative, collaborative non-profit leader with over twenty-five years of experience working with organizations throughout greater Atlanta. Maryum has served in senior non-profit administration, development, and consulting capacities with several Atlanta nonprofits committed to high-quality early childhood education, housing, and services to women and children.
Maryum currently serves as the President & CEO of Status: Home (formerly Jerusalem House). In this role, Phillips directs all operations, oversees staff, and strategizes fundraising activities for the organization, which is Atlanta’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS permanent supportive housing provider.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know you’ a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your personal background, and how you grew up?
I grew up in a small farming community in Michigan, in a town so small that it had around 600 people at the last census count. It was there, living with my mother and four siblings, that I developed my passion for community and learned the importance of “the village”. Now, I live in Atlanta with my wife, Lauren. We have four daughters, ranging in age from 9 to 25 and they keep us on our toes.
Is there a particular story or incident that inspired you to get involved in your work helping people who are homeless?
When I was in college, walking under the arch, I passed a woman who was asking for money. Having recently taken a class on social justice, I felt compelled to stop and chat with her and see how I could help. While I sat with her, a couple of high school students walked by. Seeing her, and how she was dressed, they started laughing and threw food at her (and me) saying “Here’s something to eat”. It was awful. And the worst part, for me, was the way that she had become accustomed to that type of disrespect. It bothered me more than her.
What I took away from that experience was that there are three types of people: Those that help, those that turn away, and those that harm. And I decided then that I wanted to help.
I continued to visit my new friend, Lorraine, and did my best to provide her with support and food whenever I could. Her story doesn’t have a happy ending, where I was able to help her get housing and employment and get on her feet. When I moved away to go to graduate school, for non profit management after being inspired by her, her story was yet unfinished. But mine was just beginning, and I’m grateful to have met her, helped her and been inspired by her.
Homelessness has been a problem for a long time in the United States. But it seems that it has gotten a lot worse over the past five years, particularly in the large cities, such as Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco. Can you explain to our readers what brought us to this place? Where did this crisis come from?
Homelessness is a housing problem. The rise of homelessness directly correlates to the rise of rental prices and stagnant wages. More people are becoming homeless every day because they are not able to afford rental prices.
A question that many people who are not familiar with the intricacies of this problem ask is, “Why don’t homeless people just move to a city that has cheaper housing?” How do you answer this question?
The biggest barrier, for many, is the cost to move. And then, beyond that, the time it takes to find a new job and wait to get paid. Moving is only a solution if you have the money to move — and if you want to move due to lack of money, it stands to reason that you also don’t have the money for a move.
If someone passes a homeless person on the street, what is the best way to help them?
It’s hard to say, because each person’s needs are unique and the best option is to ask how you can help. However, a great option, for every person, is to become familiar with the resources in your community and have that information on hand to be able to offer those that need it.
What is the best way to respond if a homeless person asks for money for rent or gas?
While I understand the question, I really read this as “if a person asks you for money, what should you do?”. And I think that’s personal. If you have the money to give, and want to, that’s great. If you think there is something else the person needs more, such as resources for food or shelter, then provide that.
Can you describe to our readers how your work is making an impact battling this crisis?
Status: Home is providing housing for people who are exiting homelessness or very low-income — and when they’re with us they only pay what they can afford (30% of income) and they can stay as long as they need to. We are housing people that would otherwise be homeless.
Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud? Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?
There are many moments that I’m proud of, the most important being the completion of the campaign to transform our housing model, increase our sustainability, and house more people. Through that campaign, we have purchased and renovated five multifamily properties around Atlanta that are housing those most in need. And this is related to one of my favorite moments.
I went to our newest property to meet a resident recently. And what I remember most, is their homes. Because it felt like home. With a cozy knit blanket over the couch, a potted snake plant at the window and the smell of good food when you walk in the door. And I was just so proud that my work played a part in helping make sure this family has a home.
Without sharing real names, can you share a story with our readers about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your work?
When Brenda was granted custody of her two young grandchildren, she was overwhelmed. She wanted to give them safety and stability — but didn’t know where to start. That’s when she found Status: Home.
Through the Family Program, Brenda and her grandchildren found more than just housing — they found a home. The children were enrolled in a good school, and after class, they spent time at the on-site Learning Center. There, they had access to computers, homework help, and tutors. They also enjoyed reading, arts and crafts, and other enrichment activities. Brenda still cherishes a painting her grandson made for her during one of those sessions.
As the children grew older, Status: Home continued to support them with college readiness programs and campus tours. Her granddaughter took her first plane ride on one of those trips and came home inspired and full of possibilities.
Brenda also found space to grow. Status: Home offered workshops on money management, healthy living, and home buying — resources that helped her build a more stable future. The staff, she says, were always there: kind, supportive, and ready to help with anything from food assistance to transportation.
Today, Brenda lives in the Adult Program at Status: Home. Her grandchildren are thriving young adults, and she credits Status: Home for laying the foundation that changed their lives.
Can you share three things that the community and society can do to help you address the root of this crisis? Can you give some examples?
First, education is critical. More people need to understand that homelessness is not a moral failing, nor does it only affect certain groups. This can happen to anyone, the vast majority of people are only one major crisis away from needing help.
Second, be a part of the solution. Find out what’s being done in your community and be a part of that. Volunteer for this groups and make donations to these organizations.
Third, make sure your elected representatives know that you care about support for the homeless and support for housing, and that you will vote accordingly.
If you had the power to influence legislation, which three laws would you like to see introduced that might help you in your work?
If I could influence legislation, it would be to increase the amount of funding available for housing services.
I know that this is not easy work. What keeps you going?
My family, without a doubt! My kids and my wife are my biggest cheerleaders and keep me motivated.
Do you have hope that one day this great social challenge can be solved completely?
Housing affordability is a solvable issue, it’s a matter of there being a greater need for low-cost housing than the supply. So yes, I do have hope that one day this will be solved.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
This is such a great question! The five things I wish I knew are: 1. Rest! This work is hard and relentless, don’t forget to take care of yourself. 2. Learn constantly. I am always learning, but I still wasn’t prepared for just how much more I would need to learn. 3. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. This just means to take your time and give yourself grace in how long it takes to reach your goals. 4. Iron sharpens iron — surround yourself with people who can inspire, motivate and challenge you to do more. 5. Don’t forget your why — stay connected to the people, the mission and the parts that inspire you to continue.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
The movement I would inspire is one to decrease the stigma of HIV. There are many possible ways to become HIV positive, and not one of them deserves any shame. If we could reduce the stigma around HIV, it would help us better support those living with HIV and also help make strides towards ending the HIV epidemic.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite quote is to “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” And that is relevant, because it’s how I choose to live my life and what I give my efforts to. I think it’s important for everyone to find the cause they’re passionate about and relentless support that cause — either by running or starting an organization, or by supporting those that are already doing the work.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
MacKenzie Scott is at the top of my list! I sincerely believe that, if she became aware of the importance of housing for people living with HIV and just how much this work impacts overall homelessness, as well as health, and the greater community — that she would become of our greatest allies.
How can our readers follow you online?
I’m found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryumphillips/ and you can follow Status Home on all social media.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
Heroes Of The Homeless Crisis: How Maryum Phillips Of ‘Status: Home’ Is Helping To Support Some Of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.