☑️Advocate for reform to California’s
mental
health system.
☑️To mitigate the suffering of people
suffering with severe mental illness.
Read Project Becky recent updates by clicking on:
‘Justice for Becky, ‘ in the navigation bar.
Modernizing California’s mental
health system in 2024.
California has made history by passing Proposition 1, and will finally provide the mental health and homeless services that we so desperately need. Project Becky has been a proud supporter of Proposition 1 because it will modernize our mental health care system and ensure Californians get the care and housing they deserve.
Why Project Becky?
Click here to edit your subtitle
A story ended too soon.
I started a nonprofit, after several years of helping folks living in and around the Santa Ana River bottom, in Rubidoux, CA. Going on 5 years now, I have come to care for those I serve. They have taught me a lot about the issue they face
Yet, never did I imagine, the one most in need of help was my younger sister, Becky.
I never imagined, I would only be allowed to watch Becky, who suffered from a mental health brain illness; spiral into severe mental illness and become homeless-living on the streets.
I tried to help her but experienced heartache having my hands tied by the law at every turn.
On April 8, 2021, my husband and I met with a conservatorship attorney in Riverside, regarding Becky, who was becoming more withdrawn and despondent.
As her family we knew she was in grave danger. The constant heartache was once again upon us as we learned we couldn’t get her help.
As we learned from the attorney, police needed to initiated a 5150. But, as we experienced in the past, police wouldn’t take her in.
Even when police came out and found Becky was not under the influence, yet she was paranoid, thinking people were chasing her.
Sadly I witnessed how really scared she would become.
On April 17th, Becky, made suicidal statements, and I tried to get her help. But being homeless was barrier of knowing her location. On April 18th, 10 days after meeting with the Conservatorship attorney, police came to my home to notify us that Becky committed suicide, in her tent, behind an abandoned building, near a busy intersection, by our home.
In memory of Becky.
Don’t forget her.
A bicentennial baby.
Made in love. Named after family.
A member of a family of 9. Long, full hair.
A beautiful smile. A tender heart.
A tormented mind.
Don’t forget her.
A niece. A granddaughter. A friend. An aunt.
A wife. A mother. A daughter. A sister.
A student. A cheerleader. An employee. A struggle to find her place in this world.
A Homeless ending, where she thought she belonged.
A thought of no hope for tomorrow is where a mental health brain illness took her.
Don’t Forget her.
By: Debora M. Mickelson
In memory of Becky.
She was always my sister.
She was a menace to many, something to be dealt with.
She was mentally ill.
She was always my sister.
She struggled in this life, trying to make her way. I tried to help, even when she was not always grateful or kind. She was always my sister.
I loved her when her mind worked against her. She ended her life believing it was her time.
She is Gods perfect heavenly being now.
My grieving heart.
Rest in the pillowed arms of God.
You are home, Becks.
By: Debora M. Mickelson
In memory of Becky.
Homeless, No More.
My sister struggled to find her place in this world. She was loved, mentally ill and became homeless.
The system and laws were broken.
Communities put up roadblocks of vanity.
I want to ask you to remember everyone has a story. Even the homeless.
Try to See with eyes of mercy.
Try to feel with a heart of compassion.
Try to listen with ears of empathy.
Not every homeless person can pull themselves up by their boot straps because sometimes they don’t even have shoes. Mercy is always a foolproof choice. Especially when we don’t really know the choices others have had to make.
By: Debora M. Mickelson
The Guardian Angel Watching over California’s CARE Court.
A grassroots project of hope for a better tomorrow.