Welcome to Zuzu's Place

Life rains so hard upon some people that we know.
It tears their faith and hope away and they walk around like ghosts.
We see them as they are breaking and as their spirit dies,
But deep inside, we still believe they will come alive and fly.

                    Don White in "Angel in Pieces"

Zuzu's Place* is a housing co-op for people who have struggled with overwhelming emotional experiences.

Most members of the co-op have had the unfortunate experience of having had psychiatric labels placed on them. At the present time in their lives, the members of Zuzu's Place are committed to independent living, to making their home, outside of the psychiatric system. Members appreciate the universal human need for community, but they do not want to live in a "group home" or other institutional setting run by "staff."

Outside of institutional, professionally run programs, there are currently no places in the UnitedStates where cooperative living in a supportive community is available to such "psychiatric survivors." Typical cooperative houses in the US refuse to accept new members who have had a history of "mental illness." As a consequence, if survivors want to join a co-op, they have to hide a large part of themselves merely to be allowed in and given a chance like anyone else.

The people coming together to create and live in Zuzu's Place want to be open and honest about their lives, and feel accepted by housemates who can relate to and be patient with one another. Zuzu's Place is open-ended; with no time limits on how long a member can stay, it can be a permanent home. Itis potentially open to all those who understand the need for patience, acceptance, and belonging.

*To learn about the name, "Zuzu's Place," click here.