Berkshire Pathways

A Clubhouse is organized to support people living with mental illness. During the course of their participation in a Clubhouse, members gain access to opportunities to rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, employment and education, and to the services and support they may individually need to continue their recovery.

A Clubhouse provides a restorative environment for people whose lives have been severely disrupted because of their mental illness, and who need the support of others who are in recovery and who believe that mental illness is treatable. Clubhouses are a powerful demonstration of the fact that people with mental illness can and do lead normal, productive lives. Clubhouses are local community centers that provide members with opportunities to build long-term relationships that, in turn, support them in obtaining employment, education and housing, including:

- a work-ordered day in which the talents and abilities of members are recognized and utilized within the Clubhouse;

- participation in consensus-based decision making regarding all important matters relating to the running of the Clubhouse;

- opportunities to obtain paid employment in the local labor market through a Clubhouse-created Transitional Employment Program. In addition, members participate in Clubhouse-supported and independent programs;

- assistance in accessing community-based educational resources;

- access to crisis intervention services when needed;

- evening/weekend social and recreational events; and

- assistance in securing and sustaining safe, decent and affordable housing.