The Clubhouse model has always been recovery-focused. The original Clubhouse began in the 1950s in New York City with Fountain House, an outgrowth of an earlier movement known as WANA (We Are Not Alone).

At a time when very few professionals talked about recovery for persons with psychiatric disabilities — much less that these persons could or should return to work, school, or independent living — Clubhouses changed everything.

In 1986, three fathers of adult children with psychological disabilities started Bridge House. These three dedicated men acquired the building, which continues to house our main Clubhouse at 880 Fairfield Avenue, and were part of the original Board of Directors who guided the growth of the Clubhouse through its first five years.

During that same period, as part of a move to "deinstitutionalize" patients and close two of its three state hospitals, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health introduced the Clubhouse model. Through the Clubhouse model, the Department sought to ensure that services would be available to patients when they returned to the community.

Today, there are more than 400 programs around the world based on the Fountain House model. Many, like Bridge House, receive certification from the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD).

Over the last 25 years, Bridge House has grown from a young organization with a budget of $50,000 and a staff of two to a thriving program of almost $2 million dollars with a staff of 24. We look forward to many more years serving the community.