A Clubhouse is...
Clubhouses provide comprehensive and dynamic opportunities for persons living with severe mental illness to participate in housing, employment, education and health and wellness initiatives that renew and reconnect them with mainstream society. Members play an active role in their own recovery and that of their peers by working alongside staff to organize and run programs. Founded in New York City in 1948 with the establishment of Fountain House (the first Clubhouse), the Clubhouse model has proven effective at improving wellbeing and physical and mental health, employment rates, and reducing re-hospitalization, and incarceration among individuals living with mental illness. The model is also cost-effective, with one year of programming costing the equivalent of two weeks of hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital in the US. Clubhouse International is having an impact at an international scale. To date, there are 320 accredited Clubhouse programs in 34 countries which reach more than 100,000 people per year.
Four Basic Rights of Clubhouse Membership
- A right to a place to come
- A right to meaningful relationships
- A right to meaningful work
- A right to a place to return
There are four key components of a Clubhouse program: the Work-Ordered Day, Employment Programs, Supported Education, and Evening/Weekend/Holiday Events.
Work-Ordered Day
Typically, a Clubhouse is divided into one or more work departments called "units" which are responsible for various aspects of Clubhouse operation. Examples of clubhouse units include Retail sales and Culinary Units, Administrative or Clerical Units, and Employment and Career Development Units. Members assume important and meaningful roles and responsibilities which promote self-worth, purpose and confidence.
Employment Programs
For information on Clubhouse Employment Programs please click here.
Supported Education
Clubhouses recognize the significant correlation between educational attainment and potential career path. Thus, Clubhouses provide opportunities to expand educational horizons, such as Adult Basic Education, General Equivalency Diploma (GED) instruction and Post-Secondary Education and Training. Clubhouses provide resources and support including information and guidance through financial aid, application and admission processes. Clubhouse provides a range of support from in-house education to campus-based programs.
Evening, Weekend and Holiday Events
Engaging and diverse evening, weekend, and holiday programs provide the opportunity to strengthen and deepen Clubhouse relationships. Colleagues enjoy social and recreational activities both within the Clubhouse and in the greater community such as art shows, harvest dances, holiday dinners, sporting events, etc. These events are used to build upon the work-ordered day and also allow for continued involvement of members who are otherwise employed or furthering their education. These events celebrate the sense of community that Clubhouse creates.