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Deep Within pushes through tragedy during pandemic

Peoria-based nonprofit stays open to serve homeless

Posted 12/25/20

Peoria-based Deep Within Rehab has had a tough pandemic.

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Deep Within pushes through tragedy during pandemic

Peoria-based nonprofit stays open to serve homeless

Posted

Peoria-based Deep Within Rehab has had a tough pandemic.

To say the least.

The nonprofit provides a safe, clean, drug and alcohol free environment for men living on the street. This includes three meals a day, hygiene items, clothing, employment training and recovery support.

The group has continued with its mission but dealt with harrowing tragedy along the way.

Only weeks before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic in March, Deep Within Rehab launched a $250,000 capital campaign to buy their property and transition into an Arizona licensed substance abuse treatment facility, halting their fund raising momentum.

The next month co-founder Lee Humes became ill and was admitted to the VA Medical Center in central Phoenix. This began a more than 50-day battle with the coronavirus and underlying conditions. After suffering a heart attack and other ailments he died May 29, 2020.

But co-founder and Mr. Humes’ wife Cindy said Deep Within continues to follow its mission to help the homeless and carry on with the capital campaign.

Donations and other assistance have helped the company stay the course, she said.

“Bellevue Heights church helped us with expenses while we were locked down, and we are slowly starting to work again. And we are certainly still working on our capital campaign,” she said. “We are doing Christmas here and it will be so very sad without our big black Santa! The residents will get gifts of hygiene, socks and t-shirts. We are still here trying to make a difference.”

After years of expanding and improving facilities using program revenue on their two-acre property at 91st and Grand avenues, home to eight buildings and up to 35 residents, earlier this year the property owner offered to sell it to Deep Within.

The nonprofit does not receive state or government funding, but instead receives charitable donations and generates revenue through employment opportunities throughout the Valley that its residents, directors and family participate in.

Donations can be made at deepwithinrehab.org, via Venmo username: @Deep-Within.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.