A clubhouse is a community center to support individuals living with a mental illness who may have an addiction disorder. Clubhouses utilize peer support to offer members a wide array of opportunities to achieve their full potential. These rehabilitative environments assist individuals in living self-sufficiently and provide support so that members can work together to achieve a common goal.
Membership in the clubhouse also provides for client support and advocacy for assistance in obtaining educational opportunities, medical assistance, and transportation. During this time, clubhouse staff work with the member through a structured program that includes on and off-site support. Members and staff in partnership determine the type, frequency, and location of the desired workforce support.
Independent Employment: Members are employed by a business in the community where they are solely responsible for that position. Ongoing support and encouragement are provided for the member at the clubhouse, if requested. Clubhouse members receive one-on-one assistance in furthering their education and professional development. This includes assistance with registration, financial aid application, and course planning, as well as ongoing educational supports for GED, trade school, and university educational programs.
Working with clubhouse staff, members are supported with resources for reintegration within the community and living self-sufficiently. Support is provided with social security and disability claims and accompanying documentation for members, as well as with Medicare, health forms, and recertification.
What is a clubhouse? Through business partnerships, clubhouses link members with jobs in the community, assisting them in the development of the skills needed to gain and retain employment. Both transitional and independent employment opportunities are offered, which range from a staff member acting as a sponsor to support a clubhouse member, to independent employment, in which the clubhouse member is solely responsible for his or her position.
