Impact Of Gaining Organizational Legitimacy For The Peer-Run Crisis Respite Model: A Case Study Of The Community Access Crisis Respite Center

Abstract

This mixed-methods study looks at how gaining organizational legitimacy has impacted the first peer-run crisis respite center in New York City: The Community Access Crisis Respite Center (CRC). This research draws upon ten interviews with CRC peer staff members and 59 surveys taken by guests who stayed at the CRC from January 15th to March 15th. The purpose of this case study is to simultaneously assess the effectiveness of this crisis respite center and produce a better understanding of the issues that legitimizing this organization –vis-à-vis traditional mental health service provides and the state – has created for the peers and guests. Whilst achieving legitimacy is important to an organization’s survival, it can sometimes come with enough change as to threaten the organization’s founding values.