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Gateway helps adults living with mental illness build personal connections and confidence using the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation.

Fontenehuset Baerum offers work-oriented rehabilitation with social community. Here you will be met with respect, hope and the opportunity to use your abilities and resources.

Independence Center helps adults with mental illnesses live and work independently and with dignity.

Recently, Clubhouse International’s Anna Sackett Rountree, had the pleasure of sitting down with leaders at ARCHIMED and their EURÊKA Foundation to discover how they came to be a vital partner of Clubhouse Lyon (France) and an advocate and supporter of five other Clubhouse International Clubhouses. Click here for a pdf version of this interview.

Vincent Guillaumot, Founding Partner, ARCHIMED and President, EURÊKA Foundation, was introduced in 2009 to Clubhouse France, by his colleague, Philippe Charrier. Vincent was immediately drawn to the concept of ‘Clubhouse’, but when he visited Clubhouse Paris and met with their members, he understood the life-saving potential of the Clubhouse Model and he then began to help with the development of Clubhouse Lyon.

In 2017, Vincent and his partner, Denis, offered a free space to host Clubhouse meetings for 3-6 months in Lyon, France. That was the beginning of what has become a thriving accredited Clubhouse, and partnership with ARCHIMED and the EURÊKA Foundation.

The ARCHIMED team met in person with Clubhouse members throughout this time which led them to recognize the restorative impact of members and staff working together in a holistic community.

Since joining Clubhouse Lyon as a member, Julie (pictured at right) says, “I saw my life change”. Meeting and working with new people have provided her with a community and helped her gain self-confidence. Through the Clubhouse she began to explore employment opportunities and was delighted to accept a position on the ARCHIMED office team as an Administrative Assistant.

Now, at ARCHIMED-Clubhouse luncheons, the team has learned that Julie, and others living with mental illness, have the same capabilities and interests as other employees, and are truly part of their team. This partnership helps reduce the stigma about mental illness.

Virginie Faucheur, Development Director, EURÊKA Foundation, sits on the Fundraising Committee which serves to ‘bring a sense of stability’ to the ongoing partnership between ARCHIMED and Clubhouse Lyon. The committee focuses on long-term funding, while participating in an annual fundraising event where they invite partners and network, advocacy, providing advice, and 1:1 coaching for Clubhouse members helping them to rejoin the workforce. ARCHIMED reports that this helps to build personal staff involvement as well as supporting the corporate initiatives of ARCHIMED. It is a win-win!

Virginie shared, “We are richer when we meet with everyone; we understand the importance of empowerment and that peopleliving with mental illness have the same potential as everyone else”.

Vincent shared that engaging with Clubhouse members in their daily work environments helps to show very concretely the impact of the Clubhouse Model; he says it brings a new and different perspective to how companies can tangibly be a part of the solution for people with mental illness. It’s a model that ARCHIMED is proving can work anywhere.

ARCHIMED has grown to believe in the Clubhouse Model and is now supporting several staff to become champions of Clubhouses in their respective countries: Poland, Italy, Denmark, Republic of Korea, Germany and USA (New York City). 

For example, Matthew Maser, Associate Director, joined the Board of Directors of Venture House (NY, USA), to lend knowledge such as fundraising advice and networking opportunities. “In December 2023, I became involved with Clubhouse as part of ARCHIMED’s relationship with Venture House. I believe in Clubhouse’s vital mission and the transformative impact it has on individuals facing mental health challenges and, given that Venture House happens to support the community and city I call home, I thought it represented a great initiative to support.” 

Before applying to the board, I had the opportunity to meet many of Venture House’s active members while touring its facilities. The positive impact Venture House was having on our community was evident in every facet of that tour.

I see this role as an opportunity to combine my passion for mental health advocacy with my professional expertise, fostering a stronger partnership between Venture House and ARCHIMED while contributing to the strategic direction and continued success of Venture House in its mission.”

What does the ARCHIMED team like most about the Clubhouse Model? The members!

Also that it:

• Is proven internationally and yields tangible results
• Is well-organized
• Fosters an entrepreneurial spirit
• Empowers members

Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) has announced the establishment of a congressional caucus, The Clubhouse Caucus, which will serve as a platform through which members of the U.S. Congress can advocate for enhanced mental health care by promoting the development and support of Clubhouses.

The new initiative marks a pivotal moment in our dedication to advancing mental health care and has the potential to open doors for many more impactful Clubhouse advocates.

“The Clubhouse Model has shown great success in empowering individuals and reintegrating them into society. Through this caucus, we will advocate for the expansion of Clubhouses across the country, ensuring that more Americans have access to the support they need.” Rep. Ritchie Torres

“…We are greatly encouraged by, and fully endorse, Congressman Torres’ endeavors to develop a bipartisan forum in an effort to expand the availability of Clubhouse Model programs throughout the country. The initiative will offer positive, holistic, life-changing opportunities for numerous individuals and communities impacted by mental illness. Clubhouse International stands ready to support and assist the work of the Clubhouse Caucus.” ~ Joel D. Corcoran, Executive Director and CEO, Clubhouse International

Click here to read the press release.

“We commend Rep. Torres for founding the Clubhouse Caucus and advancing mental illness recovery in a way that emphasizes the strength, dignity, and self-efficacy of people living with serious mental health conditions,” said Ken Zimmerman, CEO of Fountain House. “The Congressman has been a leading mental health advocate in government and we’re pleased to continue to work with him to expand the reach and impact of clubhouses across the country.”

“Thank you to my local congressman, Rep. Torres, for creating the first-ever bipartisan Clubhouse Caucus,” said Arvind Sooknanan, a member of Fountain House’s Bronx Clubhouse and a Director on Fountain House’s Board. “Because of his leadership, people with serious mental illness will finally be heard through the halls of Congress, ensuring that more of us can gain access to the community and resources that have made all the difference in my life.”

The newly formed caucus will promote the success of the Clubhouse Model in fostering individual empowerment, providing access to gainful employment and educational opportunities, facilitating social reintegration, and curbing healthcare expenses. It will actively push for its incorporation into U.S. national mental health systems to offer recovery opportunities and support to the more than 14 million Americans living with serious mental illness.

We look forward to supporting the Caucus alongside our Clubhouse network!

Join us for our signature New Clubhouse Development (VIRTUAL) Training – May 13, 14, and 16, 2024.

For more information or to register: contact Jack Yatsko at (808) 651-8598 or jyatsko@clubhouse-intl.org.

This training course provides a work plan needed to establish an Accredited Clubhouse in your community. You will learn how to:

• Build an effective Startup group
• Develop supportive partnerships in the community
• Organize a Board of Directors
• Create a plan for public and private funding
• Effectively recruit an Executive Director
• Raise awareness within your community

Each group in this training develops an individualized action plan with detailed objectives and goals tailored to their community. Mentors for each group are also provided for a year following the training.