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The Reporter – August 7, 2013
Summary:  The Reporter recently published an article about Toowoomba Clubhouse in Queensland, Australia, praising the effectiveness of the Clubhouse and the Clubhouse model. The writer was immediately impressed with the structured activities for members, the respect with which members are treated and the non-clinical environment where people are encouraged to take a leading role in their own recovery. “The Clubhouse model works. It is an achiever….It provides a vital health service to those in need who would otherwise be isolated and unsupported.”

Goshen News – June 6, 2013
Summary:  Elkhart County Clubhouse is celebrating its one-year anniversary with an accreditation from Clubhouse International. In celebration of the anniversary and its Accreditation, members shaved the beard of Director Rich Meyer! Chief Operating Officer of Clubhouse International, Jack Yatsko, said, “It is very rare for a new Clubhouse to become accredited within their first year of operation. However, the Elkhart County Clubhouse not only went through the process within that time frame, they also achieved our highest level of Accreditation, a full three-year outcome. Congratulations to everyone connected to the Elkhart County Clubhouse community on this achievement!”

Florida Weekly – April 10, 2013
Summary:  Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida recently earned a three-year accreditation from Clubhouse International.  The Hope Clubhouse is the only one of its kind in Southwest Florida. Since opening in Ft. Myers in 2010, Hope Clubhouse has served 159 people. At the core of everything they do, as is the case at other Clubhouses around the world, is work. Several members were interviewed for a recent article in Florida Weekly and work was cited as the most important aspect of their Clubhouse experience. Will Prather, owner of a local theatre, has hired several Hope Clubhouse members and has had a good experience. “There’s nothing that can have a more dramatic impact on a person than having a job,” he said. Army veteran and Clubhouse member Jonathan Southard suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome. He works 25 hours a week at Goodwill and plans to go back to school. Dr. William Madaus, chairman of the Hope Clubhouse board as well as board member of Clubhouse International, has been instrumental in the success of the Clubhouse. “It’s almost that work becomes a therapeutic tool in terms of getting back their self-esteem, normalization in terms of working in the community and getting paid for it,” he said.

Telegram.com – March 25, 2013

Summary:  It has been 25 years since Genesis Club in Worcester, Massachusetts was founded to help people living with mental illness. The group began small, and hired Kevin Bradley as their first – and since then, their only – executive director. The Clubhouse today includes 2 buildings and a 6,000-square-foot addition. Last year, Genesis House served nearly 800 people, helping them with employment, education, housing, health and peer support. The Clubhouse’s success has become a model for other programs, which send representatives to Worcester to train. “We’re leading the charge,” Mr. Bradley said. At Genesis Club, they have been able to serve whoever walks in the door, and Mr. Bradley hopes that continues.

Concord Monitor – March 13, 2013

Summary:  According to a recent article in the Concord Monitor, new funding for mental health reform in New Hampshire is still unresolved. Governor Hassan has proposed to add $28 million in mental health care funding, but it is unclear whether the proposal will be passed. Although the Governor’s proposed budget covers “peer support services”, New Hampshire’s first Clubhouse for people living with mental illness, Granite Pathways, is not included in the peer support budget. This situation points out the challenges faced by many Clubhouses. Pam Brown, founder of Granite Pathways, worked with 5 other families 3 years ago to start the Clubhouse when she couldn’t find help for her son to restart his life after a diagnosis of psychosis. Today, about 60 people use the Clubhouse regularly, and there is a waiting list. With public funding, the group could move to a better space and continue to grow at a faster pace. However, Brown and the others at Granite Pathways are not waiting for the state to help, despite the challenges. They know the effectiveness of the Clubhouse model and continue to operate every day.

Honolulu Magazine – March, 2013
Summary:  Honolulu Magazine recently published an article about Diamond Head Clubhouse, which is funded by the Adult Mental Health Division for the state of Hawaii’s Department of Health. The Clubhouse is helping many adults living with mental illness, including Michael Kirk, who was interviewed for this piece. Kirk, who suffers from a permanent disability caused by mental illness, tells about his experience with the Clubhouse. Not only did he find purpose for his days and a relief from isolation, last year he found work through the Clubhouse’s Transitional Employment Program. He is now earning enough money to eliminate the need for some public support. Last year, Diamond Head Clubhouse members earned more than $600,000  from private employment.