Gainesville Opportunity Center: A Case Study

The clubhouse model came about after the 1950’s deinstitutionalize movement. The deinstitutionalize movement consisted of many state mental hospitals closing, leaving many homeless and incarcerated. Thousands of people did not have access to medication as well as had no one to case manage their situations. The clubhouse model follows the model of the Fountain House in New York. The Fountain House is a place that became a type of safe haven to those whom were deinstitutionalized, giving them a place to spend time, alongside others that also suffered from similar behavioral healthcare problems. Clubhouse model organizations are open to anyone with a mental illness. Most patients are stigmatized and considered “societal burdens,” however clubhouses …show more content…
According to goclubhouse.org, the Gainesville Opportunity Center or the GOC is a community-partnership program where people whose lives are severely impacted by mental illness can go to rebuild their lives. Like Club Success, The GOC’s purpose is to assist their members stay out of hospitals and accomplish aspirations of being socially, financially and educationally independent. While Club Success focuses on following a “work order day” setting, the GOC emphases establishing meaningful relationships with staff and other members, ultimately trying to give members more of a sense of belonging. Through these relationships, the GOC hopes to provide members with the knowledge that they are not alone, and that there are others that understand what they are dealing with. This ultimately reduces self-stigma and helps members build confidence. Like Club Success, the GOC is also open to members Monday through Friday, five days a week. Both Club Success and the GOC require a referral from a behavior healthcare professional to join, but unlike the in-depth process Club Success requires to become a member, to join the GOC one has to fill out and submit a application for approval. Also like Club Success, the GOC offers educational programs, housing assistance and social interactive opportunities (Gainesville …show more content…
Club Fellowship is a Clubhouse international accredited organization located in Miami, Florida. According to clubfellowship.org, like Club Success and the GOC, Club Fellowship’s goal is to establish that people with serious mental illnesses can too live and work successfully in their community despite their illness. Like Club Success, Club Fellowship also uses the structure of a “Work ordered day,” however Club Fellowship applies this structure in a different way. Club Fellowship emphasizes “all opportunities are the result of the efforts of both the staff and the members working together side by side in a unique partnership” (Club Fellowship, 2015). This means that all decisions and meeting regarding the activities and policies of Club Fellowship are open to both staff and members. The membership process of Club Fellowship requires going through their intake department. Like Club Success, one is given a tour of the organization by a member, and the programs are explained. However, instead of a mandatory orientation, applicants are offered the option of “guesting” for a small amount of time to determine if Club Fellowship is a good fit. Also like Club Success and the GOC, Club fellowship offers educational programs, housing assistance and social interactive opportunities and is open Monday through Friday, five days a week (Club Fellowship.