Santa Barbara has a long history of grassroots activism, and few embody its spirit more than Suzanne Riordan, the founder of Families ACT! (Families Advocating for Compassionate Treatment).

For nearly two decades, Riordan has been a relentless advocate for families navigating the broken mental health and criminal justice systems.

Her work — and that of the nonprofit Families ACT! — has been a beacon of hope for those who have been left behind, particularly individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, a population that remains underserved and misunderstood.

I first met Riordan in 2007, when I was becoming increasingly active in local social justice efforts.

At the time, I was personally grappling with my own experiences with homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges — what I have called the “triple challenge.”

I immediately resonated with Families ACT!’s mission because it sought to address the systemic failures that so many of us had experienced firsthand.

Families ACT! began as a grassroots group of mothers who were desperate to get their children the treatment they needed but who found themselves running up against bureaucratic barriers, inadequate services and a criminal justice system that seemed to prioritize incarceration over rehabilitation.

For many of us in the movement, the so-called “revolving door” — in which individuals cycle in and out of jails, hospitals and the streets — was a central concern.

Families ACT! became one of the most vocal and effective organizations advocating for alternatives to incarceration, particularly for those with dual diagnoses. 

Its mantra, “Treatment Beds Not Cells: Stop the Revolving Door,” succinctly captured the need to shift our local priorities to care from punishment.

I had the privilege of serving briefly on Families ACT!’s board of directors and was actively involved in its early efforts.

I attended the landmark town hall meeting in 2007 that brought two dozen practitioners from every stage of the mental health-jail continuum together for a lively dialogue about ending the revolving door.

I participated in the protest and collaborated with other advocates, including two friends: Lynne Gibbs, Families ACT!’s policy adviser, and Michelle Williams, a board member involved in outreach.

These were not just political actions; they were deeply personal expressions of solidarity and shared struggle.

The stories that emerged from these gatherings — of families torn apart, of young people with mental health issues being criminalized instead of treated, of parents fighting tirelessly for their children — were heartbreaking and enraging in equal measure.

One of the key contributions of Families ACT! has been its persistent push for systemic change. It has lobbied for increased funding for mental health and substance use treatment, fought against the expansion of jails and worked to improve crisis response services. 

Riordan and her team have been particularly outspoken about the shortage of dual-diagnosis treatment beds — facilities equipped to handle individuals who struggle with both mental health and substance use issues.

This gap in services has dire consequences: too often, individuals with complex needs are funneled into jail cells instead of receiving the comprehensive, compassionate care they require.

Riordan’s leadership has been nothing short of inspiring. She has an unwavering commitment to justice, coupled with an ability to mobilize people from all walks of life.

Her advocacy is not rooted in abstract policy debates but in the real, lived experiences of the families for whom she fights.

Riordan understands the pain of watching a loved one spiral through the cracks of an indifferent system. She channels that pain into action, refusing to accept the status quo.

Families ACT!’s work is more relevant than ever.

As Santa Barbara continues to struggle with rising homelessness, an overburdened mental health system, and ongoing debates about policing and incarceration, the organization’s call for investment in treatment over punishment must be heeded.

The data is clear: jailing people with mental illness and addiction does not lead to recovery. It exacerbates the cycle of instability and trauma, making reintegration into society even more difficult.

A compassionate, treatment-centered approach is not just the moral choice, it is the most effective one.

As I reflect on my years of advocacy and my personal journey, I am deeply grateful for people like Suzanne Riordan. She has been a steadfast ally to those of us who have lived through the realities of homelessness, addiction and mental illness.

She has given families a voice when they felt unheard. And she has shown, time and again, that community-led activism can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Riordan’s story is a reminder that change happens not because systems decide to be more humane, but because individuals and communities demand it.

Families ACT! has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of that fight.

Its work is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing, to the strength of parents who refuse to accept injustice, and to the belief that no one should be discarded or forgotten.

As Santa Barbara debates its future — how it will address homelessness, how it will respond to mental health crises, how it will allocate its resources — we must amplify the voices of those who have been in this fight for years.

We must listen to Families ACT!, to Suzanne Riordan, and to the countless families who have suffered under a broken system.

And most important, we must act, proving that public resources are best spent on solutions that uplift rather than punish.