What Is A Clubhouse?

What is a Clubhouse? A Clubhouse is a place where people who have had mental illness come to rebuild their lives. The participants are called members, not patients and the focus is on their strengths not their illness. Work in the clubhouse, whether it is clerical, data input, meal preparation or reaching out to their fellow members, provides the core healing process. Every opportunity provided is the result of the efforts of the members and small staff, who work side by side, in a unique partnership. One of the most important steps members take toward greater independence is transitional employment, where they work in the community at real jobs. Members also receive help in securing housing, advancing their education obtaining good psychiatric and medical care and maintaining government benefits.
The "High Hopes" Clubhouse offers "members" a supportive environment in which they can work alongside staff in planning and operating the Clubhouse. This is known as "The Work Ordered Day." Members participate in mutually planned vocational, educational and social activities. Because hopes and dreams include the opportunity to work on a real job, a major component of the Clubhouse is Transitional Employment (TE) opportunities. TE offers each member the chance to go to work on a paid, part-time job and to stay on that job for approximately six months. How can I become a member? A person with a major mental illness can become a member if they are eligible for community support services. Payment for services is made through a variety of sources which may include: Medicaid, private insurance, or self-pay arrangements.
Orientation in the "Clubhouse Philosophy" will be provided to new members.     The Clubhouse Model of Psychiatric Rehabilitation is used with success at both the Capitol Clubhouse in Augusta and the High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for adults who experience mental illness by providing social, educational and employment opportunities. High Hopes Clubhouse and Capitol Clubhouse are independent programs of Kennebec Behavioral Health.