We are a nonprofit “Clubhouse,” psycho-social program that is neither an institution nor a traditional treatment center. Those who Alliance House serves are considered Members, not clients. The basis of Alliance House is our uniquely supportive and collaborative Clubhouse setting where Members and staff work together to operate all aspects of the clubhouse in an atmosphere built on principles of mutual respect and caring. Founded on Jan 5, 1987; Alliance House is a proven successful program that is deeply committed to the principles of Clubhouse International, which supports over 340 Clubhouse-model programs in twenty-seven Countries. Alliance House is one of only twelve clubhouses in the world that is certified by Clubhouse International, to provide an extensive training course for other organizations; who are wanting to establish or enhance their own Clubhouse-model center. All donations made to Alliance House during our fundraisers will be used to provide our Clubhouse program to uninsured members.
A CLUBHOUSE IS…
Alliance House Serves Adults in Salt Lake City with Severe or Persistent Mental Illness
Who We Are
“A Clubhouse is a Membership organization, and therefore the people who come and participate are its Members….This idea of Membership is fundamental to the clubhouse concept, as having Membership in an organization means that an individual has both shared ownership and shared responsibility for the success of that organization. To have Membership in an organization means to belong, to fit in somewhere, and to have a place where you are always welcome. For a person living with the effects of mental illness, these simple things cannot be taken for granted. In fact, the reality for most people with mental illness is that they have a constant sense of not fitting in, of isolation, and rejection. Mental illness has the devastating effect of separating people from others in society. ‘Mental patient,’ ‘client,’ ‘disabled,’ ‘consumer,’ ‘user’ — these are terms with which people with mental illness are accustomed to being defined….The Clubhouse turns this all around. Here, a person who has struggled with mental illness is first seen as a valued participant, a colleague, and someone who has something to contribute to the rest of the group.“
– Joel Corcoran, Executive Director, Clubhouse International, from Clubhouses: Communities Creating Opportunities for People with Mental Illness
Alliance House treats all Members as equals. We abide by the principal that all people are deserving of respect, dignity, compassion, and understanding.
Clubhouse International Is…
The Clubhouse Model began in New York City in the 1950’s during a period of great de-institutionalization. Many people who had recently been discharged from the Rockland State Hospital began to meet on a street corner for mutual support. A social worker by the name of John Beard recognized a gap between hospitalization and re-integration back into society for adults who suffered from serious mental illness. He understood that people need a place to build meaningful relationships and to be a contributing part of a community that needs them. He is the founder of Fountain House, the first established Clubhouse. As Fountain House experienced success in helping people reclaim their life, it opened its doors to others wishing to duplicate their program, which is now known as the Clubhouse Model. As the idea that work combined with relationships and normal expectations for Members who belonged to clubhouse communities grew, so did the number of Clubhouses. Today over 300 Clubhouses exist worldwide, who have embraced the original ideas that began in Manhattan, New York.
“A Clubhouse is first and foremost a community of people. Much more than simply a program, or a social service, a clubhouse is most importantly a community of people who are working together toward a common goal.”
– Joel Corcoran, Executive Director, Clubhouse International
How are the Clubhouse Standards a part of the Clubhouse International Movement?
Over time a set of guidelines were established known as the Clubhouse Standards to better assist developing clubhouses and to distinguish them from other types of programs. Essentially, they are a set of 35 guidelines created with the input of over a thousand Members and staff participating in aspiring programs at that time. They are a “Bill of Rights” for Members and used as a tool to help clubhouses evaluate their effectiveness worldwide. To obtain a copy of Clubhouse International Standards, please e-mail Alliance House at info@alliancehouse.org
What is Clubhouse International?
Clubhouse International grew out of a need to keep clubhouse connections and the clubhouse movement alive. The mission of Clubhouse International is to build and coordinate strong international networks of clubhouse programs. Clubhouses are founded on the realization that recovery from serious mental illness must involve the whole person in a vital and culturally sensitive community. A clubhouse community offers respect, hope, mutually and unlimited opportunity to access the same worlds of friendship, housing, education and employment as the rest of society.
In pursuit of this mission, the center promotes the development and strengthening of clubhouses; oversees the creation and evolution of clubhouse standards; facilitates and insures the equality of training, consultation, certification, research and advocacy; provides effective communication and dissemination of information. For further information about the benefits of certification, how to apply, and or how to join the clubhouse movement, please contact Clubhouse International or visit its website at www.clubhouse-intl.org.
