Puffin Foundation West has given a Grant to support the CELEBRATION of the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC), a non-profit organization that serves 8300 members who have serious and persistent mental illness, such as depressive disorders, bi-polar disorders and schizophrenia. Clubhouses started decades ago as a “movement” in NYC in the 1950’s by a group of former patients trying to de-institutionalize themselves from that stigma. Fundamentally, it can be described as human rights movement that now has 300 centers in 23 countries worldwide. We are happy to contribute to their EMPLOYMENT RECOVERY CELEBRATION this April in Boston. People who struggle with these illnesses have found that through the Clubhouse Programs that they have opportunities that enable them to learn real skills that can allow them to reintegrate back into the work place and give them hope that they can reconnect with family and friends and even return to school. Members do not live in their local Clubhouses but use the centers as a base of support in their efforts to live successfully in the community. They learn to build sustaining relationship and how to become civically engaged. Clubhouse Centers also support the artistic expression of their members via Clubhouse organized art shows; by helping members learn how to sell their work; by publishing members poetry and hosting coffee houses with open mics. MCC offers a variety of resources to help people with mental illness to find meaningful paid work and the Celebration highlights the successes of Clubhouse members who have found employment and also recognizes and celebrates the employers who have provided meaning jobs. www.massclub.org
