About Clubhouses
There are more than 330 Clubhouses operating in 30 countries around the world. The first Clubhouse was Fountain House in New York City. It was founded in 1948 by psychiatric patients and a social worker seeking to create a support system for people released from the city's psychiatric institutions.
The International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD) provides training and certification to Clubhouses around the world. Its 36 Clubhouse standards, which are consensually agreed upon by the worldwide Clubhouse community, are the blueprint for a successful Clubhouse.
The ICCD promotes the development and strengthening of ICCD Clubhouses; oversees the creation and evolution of standards; facilitates and assures the quality of training, consultation, certification, research and advocacy; and provides effective communication and dissemination of vital research and information. Established in 1994, ICCD is a non-profit and non-governmental organization.
Three Clubhouses that have achieved ICCD certification are located in Florida: Club Success in Lakeland, Sedona House in Lake Mary, and Vincent House in Pinellas Park.
A Clubhouse is a member-based community that offers people who have mental illness hope and oppurtinities to achieve their full potential. Much more than simply a program or a social service, a Clubhouse is a community of people who are working together to achieve a common goal.
Clubhouse members gain access to opportunities to rejoin the worlds of friendship, family, employment and education, and to the services and support they may need individually need to continue their recovery. An ICCD Clubhouse provides a restorative environment for people whose lives have been severely disrupted and who need the support of others that know recovery is possible. They powerfully demonstrate that people living with mental illness can lead productive and satisfying lives.
A Clubhouse offers members:
- A work ordered day in which the talents and abilities of members are recognized and encouraged.
- Participation in consensus - based decision making regarding all important matters relating to the running of the Clubhouse.
- Opportunities to obtain paid employment in mainstream business through a Clubhouse created Transitional Employment Program, as well as through Clubhouse Supported and Independent Employment Programs.
- Assistance in accessing community - based educational resources.
- Assistance in accessing medical, psychological, substance abuse, wellness, and other community support resources.
- Access to crisis intervention services if needed.
- Evening, weekend, and holiday, social and recreational events.
- Assistance in securing and sustaining safe, decent and affordable housing.
Download the Florida Clubhouse Coalition's fact sheet: Clubhouses: Recovery Through Work Partnerships
The Key Clubhouse of South Florida
A membership community promoting social and vocational well-being.
