The Story of Clubhouse
The San Antonio Clubhouse is a vibrant working community dedicated to providing opportunities for skill development, forging friendships, promoting wellness, and facilitating employment. These opportunities serve as the foundation for our members to chase their dreams and achieve their goals.
At the heart of the Clubhouse, members embark on a transformative journey towards mental health recovery, where each person’s unique skills and talents are acknowledged and celebrated. We offer diverse training opportunities across a range of areas including culinary arts, hospitality, office and administrative support, facility maintenance, customer service, accounting and finance, videography, and graphic arts and design.
Beyond skill development, the San Antonio Clubhouse is a place for connection and leisure. We host social events for fun, relaxation, and deepening friendships during select evenings, weekends, and holidays, ensuring our community remains a source of constant support and joy.
The San Antonio Clubhouse is dedicated to building a vibrant, welcoming community that unlocks the true potential of individuals facing mental health challenges. We champion personal growth and the cultivation of meaningful relationships through a foundation of mutual support and life-changing opportunities. Our goal is to empower our members to redefine their life stories, guiding them towards lives marked by purpose, joy, and profound fulfillment.
Our vision is for a flourishing community where mental health is no barrier to achieving one’s dreams. We aspire to a world where individuals with mental health challenges not only reach but surpass their greatest potential, liberating themselves from the constraints of their conditions to lead lives rich in purpose, happiness, and meaningful contribution.
Values That
Shape Us
Our community is deeply committed to supporting each other’s mental health recovery journey. In our welcoming space, every member’s unique contributions are valued and celebrated, empowering them to grow and share their talents. Our core values, represented by the acronym “STORIES,” are what guide us:
Service
We communicate and work together side-by-side to accomplish goals without expectation.
Teamwork
Being open to receiving help and gaining confidence to help others.
Ownership
We take care of our space and each other and hold ourselves accountable with kindness.
Respect
We honor ourselves, each other, and our facilities and take into account how our actions affect others.
Inclusion
Everyone belongs. Our inclusive environment celebrates diversity and ensures every member feels valued.
Empathy
We build deep, empathetic connections, understanding and supporting each other as a family.
Spirit
Our spirit is defined by positivity, resilience, and joy. We inspire each other to face challenges with courage.
Our Journey
Through Time
In 2001, a dedicated group of family members, clinicians, and volunteers saw the need for an innovative approach to mental health support. By March 2003, they established the San Antonio Clubhouse in partnership with Travis Park Methodist Church in downtown San Antonio. Mark Stoeltje was appointed as the founding executive director later that year.
Since its inception, our community has built a strong reputation as a mental health hub, mentoring Clubhouses across Texas and establishing Clubhouse Texas for technical support and legislative advocacy.
Following Mark Stoeltje’s retirement in 2020, Eric Estrada took over as Executive Director. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 in 2021, we adapted to virtual operations and extended our support to members statewide and nationwide.
At present, the San Antonio Clubhouse remains a leading beacon of mental health support and community.
Since its inception, the San Antonio Clubhouse has been a beacon of support and growth for those facing mental health challenges. Started by visionaries who saw the need, we’ve now grown into a vibrant community, guided by empowerment, inclusivity, and wellness.Since its inception, the San Antonio Clubhouse has been a beacon of support and growth for those facing mental health challenges. Started by visionaries who saw the need, we’ve now grown into a vibrant community, guided by empowerment, inclusivity, and wellness.
The Clubhouse provides a nurturing environment where individuals discover belonging and opportunities for personal growth. Unlike traditional services, we empower members to contribute actively to the community. Here, “diagnoses don’t define”. Instead, we value each member for their unique skills and personalities.
Our journey includes tales of transformation and hope. Jeffrey’s story is one such example. Through our support, he gained employment and purpose, reflecting our commitment to personal and professional growth.
Led by dedicated founders like Dr. Steve Holliday and Michael, our Clubhouse model is centered on meaningful work and relationships, providing a new path for individuals caught in the cycle of mental health treatment.
Training at the Alliance House in Salt Lake City further solidified their commitment. Michael and Bill Knod, the first Clubhouse member, immersed themselves in the Clubhouse philosophy, experiencing firsthand its spiritual and communal impact. Bill’s story, marked by struggle and resilience, illustrates the life-changing support the Clubhouse provides. His talent in origami and his generosity left a lasting impression, embodying the spirit of the Clubhouse.
Since its inception, the San Antonio Clubhouse has been a beacon of hope and empowerment. Staff and members alike are drawn to its mission, often staying far beyond the average tenure in nonprofit roles, driven by belief in the work rather than financial reward. The Clubhouse is not just a place but a community that sees the value in every individual, helping them reach their fullest potential despite the obstacles.
This history is not just about the growth of a facility but the flourishing of a community that stands as a testament to the power of empathy, support, and shared purpose. It’s a reminder of the impact a group of committed individuals can have on the lives of many, driven by the belief that everyone deserves a chance to lead a fulfilling life.
Faces of Our Clubhouse
Mission with a Donation.
We Would Love to
Hear From You
We Would Love to
Hear From You
Have questions or interested in joining our community? We’re ready to hear from you. Contact us by phone, email, or visit us to find out more about how you can be part of our story. Your journey with us starts with a simple message.
6851 Clubhouse Way, San Antonio, TX 78229
6851 Clubhouse Way,
San Antonio, TX 78229
