What We Do

Work gives us purpose and connects us to those around us. It builds community and gives meaning to our lives. At B’More Clubhouse, we follow a structured, work-ordered day, in which members and staff work together to manage and run the daily operations of the clubhouse. The work-ordered day is an eight-hour period, Monday through Friday, which parallels the business hours of the working community where the Clubhouse is located.

There are four work teams in the Clubhouse:

The Membership Team provides administrative support with tasks such as data entry, scheduling tours and orientations, and facilitating reach-outs to absent members.

The Culinary Team is responsible for planning and preparing delicious daily meals for breakfast, lunch and social events in a way that fosters healthy living, teamwork, and safety.

The Communications Team creates marketing materials to promote the Clubhouse through our blog, social media channels, and flyers. They also work on developing new partnerships by reaching out to organizations in the community.

The Career Development Team assists members as they work towards their employment and educational goals. Different levels of support include Transitional Employment, Supported Employment and Independent Employment.

All of the work in the Clubhouse is for the Clubhouse and not for any outside agency or business. There are no clinical therapies or treatment-oriented programs in the Clubhouse. Members volunteer to participate as they feel ready and according to their individual interests.

Self-doubt and low self-esteem can be compounded by the terrible feelings that come with unemployment. That's why employment is one of the fundamental building blocks of the Clubhouse — we strive to give every person who wants it a chance to work in the community. We provide members with opportunities to return to paid employment in integrated work settings through Transitional Employment (TE), Supported Employment (SE), and Independent Employment (IE) programs.

TE is a highly structured program for members returning to work in community-based business and industry. TE placements are at the employer’s place of business, are part-time (10-20 hours per week), and include on- and off-site support from Clubhouse staff and members.

These placements generally last from six to nine months. Members then can try another placement or move on to IE. This program is specifically designed as a vocational rehabilitation program where a member can gain or regain the skills and confidence necessary to have a job while employed in a real world position. The only requirement from the member to participate in TE is an expressed desire to work.

SE is a program where there is an understanding between the employer, the member, and the Clubhouse that Clubhouse staff will support both the member and the employer throughout the work relationship. Although the job belongs to the member, the employer is awarding the position based on the idea that the member will have support as needed from the Clubhouse to complete the work. Clubhouse staff provide regular support to both the employer and the member, through a mix of on-site assistance and visits, email, and telephone calls.

IE is a program of the Clubhouse through which members, when ready, are given help from the Clubhouse to apply for and acquire a job of their own. The Clubhouse then provides ongoing support and encouragement for the member as long as they remain employed and request assistance. There is no on-site support at the place of business for members in IE. All of the support is at the Clubhouse.

B'More Clubhouse regularly provides evening, weekend, and holiday social and recreational programming that allow members and staff to get to know each other outside the pressures of the Clubhouse workday. Members and staff work together to organize structured and non-structured social activities, which take place outside of the work-ordered day. Holidays are celebrated on the day on which they fall and activities are scheduled at the Clubhouse and within the community.

People living with mental illness often require a variety of social and medical services. Through the work day at the Clubhouse, members are given help accessing the best quality services in our community. Help is given to members in acquiring and keeping affordable and dignified housing, good mental health and general medical services, government disability benefits and any other services they may need. Members and staff from the Clubhouse provide all of this support and assistance.

Part of the daily work of the Clubhouse involves keeping in touch with members - both active and inactive. When a member does not attend the Clubhouse or is in the hospital, a “reach-out” telephone call or visit is made to the absent member. Each member is reminded that they are missed, welcomed, and needed at the Clubhouse. This process not only encourages members to participate but it is an early warning system for members who are experiencing difficulties and may need extra help.

Many Clubhouse members have had their education plans interrupted by mental illness. Some have not finished secondary school and others had their university experience disrupted. The Clubhouse offers educational opportunities for members to complete or start certificate and degree programs at academic institutions and adult education programs. B'More Clubhouse also utilizes the talents and skills of members and staff to provide educational opportunities within the Clubhouse. Together, we can reduce barriers and support members in their vocational pursuits.

B'More Clubhouse is dedicated to helping our members access safe, decent, and dignified housing. We work with members to help identify the best options for them in the community.

Decision-making and governance are an important part of our work. We have an open door policy, where members are welcomed into every aspect of Clubhouse management, maintenance, and operations. That includes discussing policy issues, future plans for the Clubhouse, and more.

The same applies to our board of directors — members are invited to participate in board meetings if they so desire. Our board of directors is charged with oversight management, fundraising, public relations and helping to develop employment opportunities for members.