CAB Member Spotlight: Andy Maier
For nearly 15 years, Andy Maier has served on our BHCHP Consumer Advisory Board (CAB), a group of dedicated patients who meet regularly to provide invaluable feedback to shape our program and policies. Andy became homeless in 2005 and spent years transitioning between shelters and recovery programs, receiving his health care at our outpatient clinic at St. Francis House (SFH). With the support of the Housing First initiative, he entered a sober house and continued his care with BHCHP, often offering advice to staff. In 2011, senior leadership invited him to join the CAB.
Since then, as a dedicated CAB member, Andy has worked on a variety of projects, mainly involving patients who are struggling with substance use disorders. Before the pandemic, Andy organized monthly recovery information sessions (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) at our SFH clinic and coordinated inpatient recovery resources at our 104-bed Barbara McInnis House respite program. When AA, CA or NA group leaders couldn’t make it to the sessions, Andy would lead the group discussions himself. COVID-19 halted many of Andy’s projects but now, he’s able to continue to serve as an important bridge between our patients, staff, senior leadership and the wider community.
From June 2022–23, with information gathered from the SFH recovery sessions, BHCHP launched the Sober Homes Pilot Program which connected adults experiencing homelessness to sober living environments. The journey to sobriety is challenging, to say the least, and this pilot program resulted in an impressive 70% of participants reporting no relapses. The project provided financial support to cover housing expenses while connecting participants with recovery support navigators and other important supports. While working closely with Andy on this project, Sam Ciarrocco, BHCHP’s Director of Trauma Services shares, “Andy is a real champion for our patients and is always thinking of creative ways to enhance their experience receiving services and resources. He uses his experience as a patient to advocate for change not only within our program but in the broader community as well.”
When asked about why he goes above and beyond for the BHCHP community, Andy simply states “BHCHP helped me so much when I was having a hard time. I’m just trying to give back.” Having been housed for a while now, he emphasizes the need for our CAB to remain attuned to the current plight of today’s unhoused population. Homelessness is an ever-changing social problem; what Andy experienced in the early 2000s is totally different from the present-day reality. We are truly grateful to Andy and the rest of the CAB for their ongoing dedication and willingness to serve our patients. Their voice, ideas and contributions help us advance our mission and are truly a gift to our corner of the world. We believe you will be inspired as well by their stories and actions.
