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About Sunshine Clubhouse
The
Sunshine Clubhouse offers an opportunity for people who have a history of
mental illness to learn, grow and feel wanted and accepted. We recognize that
adults with mental illness have a crucial role to play in helping each other
with the demands of life and the expectations of living in the community.
Participants
in the Clubhouse are called members not patients or clients. Members and staff
of the Clubhouse work side by side in a unique partnership that supports
personal growth and recovery from mental illness. Another important feature is
that all involved at the Sunshine Clubhouse focus on a person’s strengths and
abilities not their illness or limitations. We celebrate members’ stability,
improved 
functioning and ultimately
reaching their potential.
The
Sunshine Clubhouse is a supportive place that’s basic rule is to treat
others the way you want to be treated and we tack on to that the
idea to always do the right thing. With this premise, it is not
necessary to have a long list of do’s and don’ts. Basic self respect, and
respect for others, enhances the relationships developed in our Clubhouse.
The
Sunshine Clubhouse is a certified member of the International Center for Clubhouse
Development (ICCD) and we daily support thirty-six standards that
Clubhouses through out the United States and worldwide in over 29 foreign countries follow to help members to
live a positive life and to reach their goals. The Clubhouse Model of
Psychosocial Rehabilitation truly supports recovery from mental illness.
Each
day members and staff work side-by-side to complete the work of the Clubhouse.
We divide ourselves in to two units, the Cedar Unit and the Pine Unit. Each
unit has certain tasks and responsibilities to do each day to keep the
Clubhouse operating smoothly. Members gain skills and confidence in taking
responsibility for the Clubhouse. Members assume leadership at their own pace
and ability.
The
Sunshine Clubhouse supports members reaching their potential and being as
independent as possible. Work and education and relationships are the
cornerstones of the Clubhouse experience. The Clubhouse has partnered with the
following businesses and companies to provide Transitional Employment
opportunities for our members:
University of Notre Dame
Ivy Tech Community College,
St. Joseph County
Public Library,
Barnes and Thornburg, Attorneys-At-Law,
Madison Center for
Children,
Real Estate Management and
The Bistro on the Race.
The Clubhouse also
helps people return to the world of work through Supported Employment and some
members take it upon themselves to find their own jobs in the community.
The
Sunshine Clubhouse has several accomplished artists and musicians and the
Clubhouse has been the site for local art shows and our members have displayed
their works at various area art shows in South Bend and Northern Indiana.
September 26, 2007
|
Dissipating shadowsEmployment hurdles brought into lightOUR HEALTH By ANGELA SNYDER Tribune Staff Writer
Out of the darkness came the Sunshine Clubhouse. The Clubhouse, a place where people with chronic mental illness socialize, do chores and prepare to enter the work force, started out meeting in a basement. "We decided we were going to have to be the sunshine for one another," said director Paul Curry. Madison Center constructed a new $2.8 million building for the Clubhouse in 2005. And brighter days are exactly what the program has brought to Luis and Heather Kranz of South Bend. Luis was unemployed when he fell into a deep and fast depression. "I just got in a rut," he said. Heather, a stay-at-home mom for 12 years, missed being employed but was unsure of how to get back to work. She followed Luis down the depression spiral. Luis had "heard about the Clubhouse for a couple of years," he said. His counselor, last October, convinced Luis to give it a try. By March, Heather noticed the improvement in her husband's self-esteem, and she joined. "One thing that's helped both of us is that you can't get away with being wallpaper at this place," said Heather. The couple put in an eight-hour day that parallels a regular workday, beginning with 9 a.m. meetings where announcements are shared. Members then choose which tasks they'll be responsible for that day. Heather often helps in the kitchen with lunch, while Luis heads to the computers to work on the newsletter. Tuesdays and Thursdays some members and staff tutor other members for educational enrichment. During these periods, the couple developed résumés and cover letters to offer prospective employers. Luis is convinced "the cover letter got me in the door" for several interviews he's had. Heather said the interaction at the Clubhouse has made her feel more relaxed around others, bringing her out of her shell and ultimately helping her with the employment interview process. She recently found a part-time job. Curry said that's the Clubhouse's aim. "It's about work and relationships." "We focus on people's strengths and help them be stable," he said. Currently, there are 175 active members with various levels of mental illness, Curry said. Some people just drop in, but most are referred by a therapist or caseworker. Curry emphasizes that participation in the program is voluntary and that, although the program is often covered by Medicaid, those without insurance or the means to pay are not turned away. Although the current 12,000-square-foot facility with its kitchen, thrift store, snack shop and computer lab is impressive, it's "not only the beauty of the building but the beauty of the people" that make Sunshine Clubhouse successful, Curry said. The Sunshine Clubhouse received provisional certification in June from the International Center for Clubhouse Development by meeting 36 standards. One of its goals for next year is to increase the number of partnerships with area businesses and expand Transitional Employment (TE). The TE program allows members to work part-time jobs in the community. Curry said that TE is "not meant to be a career, just an opportunity for members to try work again" and integrate themselves back into the community. He is encouraged that about 35 percent of members involved in TE have gone on to find permanent job placements. Success may stem from staff and members sharing the responsibility for maintaining the building and the activities inside. Together they grocery shop, cook, stock the snack bar, ring up sales on a cash register in the thrift shop, as well as brainstorm and write the monthly newsletter, Nova News, in the computer lab. The process allows members to "learn that there's a meaning and cost to things," said Curry. It's this real-life experience and sense of belonging that have propelled the Kranzes to stop into the Sunshine Clubhouse as often as possible. "I tell every person I know how much I want to be there. When it's closed on Sundays, I can't wait until Monday," Luis said. Heather enthusiastically nodded her agreement. Staff writer Angela Snyder: (574) 235-6454
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While giving a tour of the facility, Sunshine Clubhouse members and
volunteers Luis and Heather Kranz of South Bend admire fish in the
Serenity Garden, where they like to spend time together after lunch.
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