A Place to Belong: Clubhouse International Redefines Mental Health Recovery One Community at a Time
The path to recovery can feel isolating and uncertain to people living with serious mental illness. They often encounter a fragmented system emphasizing treatment over community or managing symptoms instead of rebuilding lives. Clubhouses play an important role in addressing this fragmentation. They are welcoming, recovery-oriented communities where individuals can find support and rediscover purpose, connection, opportunities, and dignity.
Clubhouse International champions this life-saving work. This global nonprofit has spent over three decades proving that recovery can happen in communities. Having celebrated its 30th anniversary, Clubhouse International reflects on a legacy of impact that stretches across continents, perhaps best illustrated by one of its vibrant success stories: Austin Clubhouse in Texas.
Since its founding in 1994, with roots in Fountain House that stretch back further, the organization has supported the growth and development of Clubhouses around the world. Its foundation is the Clubhouse Model, an evidence-based, community-centered approach that integrates support for employment, education, housing, and wellness under one roof. It meets people where they are. That could mean through transitional employment programs that bridge the gap between unemployment and independent work or educational initiatives that support any level, from GED completion to graduate degrees.
Besides its outcomes, the uniqueness of the Clubhouse Model lies in its philosophy. Clubhouse International rejects clinical hierarchies and focuses instead on empowerment, creating a sense of agency that many members might not have experienced before. “That empowerment isn’t just symbolic. It’s practical,” says Anna Sackett Rountree, Director of Communications at Clubhouse International. “Members participate in meaningful work during the day, such as managing the kitchen, employment services, and outreach efforts. Our model encourages growth at one’s own pace.”
Clubhouse International has received global recognition for its impactful model, including the prestigious Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, one of the world’s largest awards for humanitarian efforts, which was jointly awarded with Fountain House. In addition, Clubhouse International has been honored by the American Psychiatric Association and is the recipient of the Honorary Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health, recognizing its rights-based, recovery-oriented approach to mental health. Yet perhaps the most compelling measure of success is found not in awards but in the countless lives reclaimed within the extraordinary Clubhouse community.
The Clubhouse network is exceptional because of how it has grown from the ground up. Most new Clubhouses begin not as top-down initiatives but as community-driven responses to unmet needs. “A concerned parent, a local mental health advocate, or a group of professionals might recognize the gap in available services and come together to build something better. That was precisely the case in Austin, Texas,” states Rountree.
Austin is celebrated for its innovation and cultural openness. However, mental health support was still severely lacking. In fact, Texas, in general, ranks last for access to mental health resources. In 2008, local advocates decided that enough was enough.
They had grown weary of watching a broken system continue to fail, of witnessing the revolving door of hospitalizations and the loss of potential and life. Determined to find a better way, they began researching how other cities were improving the lives of individuals with mental health diagnoses. This search led them to Clubhouse International, where they enrolled in the New Clubhouse Development training program.
“In supporting over 140 startup groups that have gone through our New Clubhouse Development training, we’ve equipped emerging Clubhouses with the tools to succeed, helping ensure that more people around the world can access an impactful model,” says Jack Yatsko, Chief Operating Officer at Clubhouse International. “Expanding the Clubhouse solution is not just an investment in mental health; it’s a commitment to dignity, community, and hope.”
The training begins with immersive learning and includes a full year of mentorship. It’s designed to instill the philosophy and practical skills necessary to launch a successful Clubhouse. The Austin group traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, to witness a functioning Clubhouse in action. There, they developed their mission, outlined their vision, and began the hard work of bringing the model home. By 2010, after two years of organizing, Austin Clubhouse opened its doors to its first seven members.
Jennifer Cardenas, Executive Director at Austin Clubhouse, reflects on the organization’s evolution. She states: “The support that Clubhouse International provided during Austin Clubhouse’s early beginnings helped build a strong foundation, one that continues to sustain our growth today. Austin Clubhouse is thriving because we were rooted in a structure that centers community, dignity, and meaningful opportunity.”
Fifteen years later, Austin Clubhouse has grown into a thriving part of its local community and the international network. It’s embedded in the global Clubhouse community, participating in campaigns and Clubhouse International events, and helping shape the movement’s future. Lisa Yoch, former board chair of Austin Clubhouse, says: “The journey hasn’t only transformed local mental health support. It has helped Austin live up to its progressive ideals. The city embraced the Clubhouse as we helped people see the path out of isolation and back into meaningful lives.”
Rose Bustamante, a member of Austin Clubhouse since August 2010, shares her journey with the organization. “I first heard about Austin Clubhouse through the SHAC, and I came on the very first day we opened 15 years ago. I’ve been coming ever since,” she says. “Before that, I didn’t have a place where I felt comfortable making friends. I felt like I lacked social skills, but over the years, I’ve made so many friends, and each and every one has been meaningful and special to me. It was always warm and welcoming—everyone was happy to see me and knew my name. Now that I’m retired, I contribute in ways that make sense to me, like making posters, helping with phone calls, or just spending time socializing. But my favorite thing to do is greet people at the front desk because I remember how good it felt to be welcomed. It’s truly a place where I can belong.”
It’s significant to emphasize that Clubhouse International’s impact isn’t limited to one city or country. “This is a global endeavor. We believe that every community deserves the tools to support some of its most vulnerable members,” Rountree remarks. Essentially, Clubhouses aim to offer a sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective solution.
As Clubhouse International looks ahead to the next 30 years, the goal is still to meet communities wherever the need exists. That means continuing to empower grassroots groups, just like the founders of Austin Clubhouse, to take the first step in creating something transformative. Anyone can begin this journey. A parent, clinician, teacher, or a group of concerned citizens can approach Clubhouse International and receive the guidance, training, and support to open a Clubhouse.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.
Wyles Daniel, Contributor. Published by USA Today on July 1, 2025
Pictured above: Austin Clubhouse, Texas USA.