Employment and Clubhouses

July, 2004

Having some money in your pocket, a sense of self-confidence, and the feeling of being somebody who has a contribution to make in the world are all important ingredients of a successful life - not just for clubhouse members but for all human beings. For far too many clubhouse members, the stigma that is prevalent in society and other barriers in their lives has contributed to an enormous loss of human potential. According to the World Health Organization, 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental, behavioral, or neurological problems. "Most middle and low-income countries devote less than 1% of their health expenditures to mental health, which means that mental health policies, legislation, community care facilities, and treatments for the mentally ill are dismally short of resources." (World Health Organization, Basic Facts about Mental Illness)

Clubhouses within the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD) devote 100% of their resources to helping members in their recovery. Clubhouses help members realize their potential, and assisting them with achieving their employment goals is an essential aspect of this process.

The International Standards that ICCD clubhouses aspire to are indeed challenging. It can be common for newer clubhouses to put employment on the back-burner because there are other areas of the clubhouse that need attention. Clubhouses will have a myriad of reasons to slow up on this development. However, despite the obstacles and challenges, for new or already established clubhouses, rather there should be just as much a sense of urgency about employment as there is about getting lunch out on a daily basis. How clubhouses do this can vary, but the most important concept is that they do, indeed, do it.

The Clubhouse Employment Manual demonstrates practical ways to execute various types of employment initiatives within a clubhouse such as transitional employment, supported employment, independent employment, and group placement. In addition, the evolution of employment outcomes in New York City clubhouses participating in this project can be seen in the Employment Baseline Report from 2000 and the Employment Statistical Reports for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003.

Downloads:
Clubhouse Employment Manual (Summer, 2004) [PDF]
NYCCC Employment Statistics (Fiscal Year 2003) [PDF]
NYCCC Employment Statistics (Fiscal Year 2002) [PDF]
Employment Baseline Statistical Report (February, 2000) [PDF]