About the Clubhouse

More than sixty years ago, long before community mental health treatment was even conceived of, a group of people who had been discharged from Rockland State Hospital in New York began meeting together on the street corners of Manhattan and the local library. They came to discover that the support they were offering each other was essential to their well-being and their recovery from mental illness.

In 1948, these pioneers were able to obtain a grant to purchase a building known as Fountain House. This community created by members helped them to develop and maintain their self-respect and identities, as well as create meaningful relationships. Today, there are 300 in 30 countries around the world.

The San Antonio Clubhouse is a part of the international clubhouse movement. We are a professional self-help program, operated by men and women recovering from mental illness, in collaboration with a caring staff. The emphasis at The Clubhouse is on relationships – member to member, and member to staff. Members engage with each other to regain their productivity and self-confidence, resume their lives, and re-enter society. Members also take part in promoting their rights, and in erasing the stigma that often separates them from their neighbors.

Since its founding in 2003, The San Antonio Clubhouse has been providing hope and recovery for people living with mental illness.

THE WORK

The Clubhouse programs and partnerships originate in its units. Each unit is “home base” for a number of members and staff, who work together to develop and operate a particular activity. While The Clubhouse is not designed to provide intensive case management, staff does provide community support for members, and will provide information and referrals to ensure that members receive the benefits and services they need, from both The Clubhouse and beyond.

Members volunteer in order to make The Clubhouse work as a self-sustaining community. Tasks from menu planning, budgeting, shopping, cooking, bookkeeping, errands, telephone outreach, newsletter design. brochure production, Powerpoint creation and even computer programming are work options.  In this way, members and staff are able to derive a sense of accomplishment, build skills, and establish relationships, helping everyone feel needed and appreciated. The jobs also act as vocational training for eventual inclusion into our Transitional Employment program in which the Clubhouse partners with local businesses to provide a 6-9 month employment for our members.

All clubhouses follow the 36 International Standards developed by the International Center for Clubhouse Development. These standards serve as a bill of rights for members, and a code of ethics for staff. View the International Clubhouse Standards at ICCD.org

THE MEALS

Members budget, plan, cook and clean up after breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.  Breakfast is free.  Lunch is $1.50. We are open all major holidays, so colleagues can enjoy food and fellowship on those special days

THE EXERCISE

We have a strong initiative focused on wellness, from nutritious food and snacks to our exercise program which includes yoga and other classes. Our gym equipment is available during our business hours. A daily feature is our wellness walk in the neighborhood.

Listen to JUST MY OPINION radio interview