What We Provide

What is a Clubhouse?

A Clubhouse is a community of people who are dedicated to one another’s success. Bridge House is intentionally structured to support individuals living with the effects of mental illness which gives these individuals, known as members, a place to come and participate in meaningful work, meaningful relationships and to feel accepted.

Members at Bridge House are given the opportunity to develop friendships, explore employment and educational opportunities while accessing the services and support they may individually need.

Membership

Membership in a Clubhouse is open to adults who have a mental health diagnosis (Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, PTSD, and others). Membership is free, insurance is not required.

Members at Bridge House have shared ownership and shared responsibility for the success of the Clubhouse. All members at Bridge House are welcomed, wanted, and accepted. Each member’s involvement is an important contribution to the Clubhouse community.

Meaningful Relationships

Relationships between members and staff develop naturally as they work together side by side to carry out the daily duties of the Clubhouse. Through daily collaboration, members and staff gain valuable insight into one another's strengths, talents, and capabilities.

Work-Ordered Day

The work-ordered day parallels the typical business hours of the working community where the Clubhouse is located. Members and staff work side by side, as colleagues, to perform the work that is important to their community.

Our approach, referred to as psychosocial rehabilitation, is designed to provide a holistic focus that addresses social symptoms, as well as psychosocial needs such as employment, housing and skills development.

Units within the Clubhouse
Bridge House is split into three work units

Business & Administration
Advocacy, Administration duties, Food Bank, Housing, and Social Recreation.

Culinary
Gardening, Menu Planning & Shopping, Kitchen, and The Cafe.

Membership
Education, Employment, Intake & Orientation, and Reception.

Employment Program

Clubhouse Employment Programs are some of the most successful vocational rehabilitation programs in today’s community mental health systems. Employment continues to be a high priority for people living with serious mental illness: their unemployment rate is generally over 80%. The Employment Program covers our Transitional Employment Placements (TEPs), Supported Employment and Independent Employment support.

Transitional Employment Placements (TEP)

Transitional Employment (TEP) is a highly structured program for members returning to work in a local business and industry. Transitional employment is specifically designed as a vocational rehabilitation program where a member can gain or re-gain the skills and confidence necessary to have a job while employed in a 'real world' position. Placements are at the employer’s place of business are part-time (15-20 hours per week). In TEP, the Clubhouse develops and maintains a relationship with the employer and provides onsite training and support with backup coverage during periods of member absence. Members receive a wage at or above the national minimum wage. After 6-9 months on the TEP, Members can then try another TEP or move to a supported or independent employment.

Supported Employment (SE)

Supported Employment positions are not time limited and may be full or part-time. In SE, the Clubhouse maintains a relationship with the employer and member, assists with job site development and training. The Clubhouse does not provide absence coverage.

Independent Employment

Independent Employment is a program of the Clubhouse through which members when ready, are given help from the Clubhouse to apply for and obtain a job of their own. The Clubhouse provides ongoing support and encouragement for members who are independently employed.

Young Adult Program

Young adults often lose key parts of their support system after graduating from high school. The Young Adults in Motion Program, designed for individuals ages 18-30, helps bridge that gap by focusing on:

Social inclusion and peer integration
Building Meaningful relationships that foster a sense of belonging and strengthen self-esteem
Providing age-appropriate resources in key areas, including:

Employment
Education

Housing

Wellness Program

Bridge House offers comprehensive Health & Wellness support services grounded in a holistic recovery approach for individuals experiencing mental illness. These community-based services incorporate physical, nutritional, and social well-being. All supports are member-driven and focus on self-care and healthy living to promote overall mental and physical health.

Wellness Activities include:

Walks
Yoga
Gardening
Virtual Nutrition Classes
Creative Writing
Art Club

Social Recreational

Program

Bridge House offers a vibrant Social Recreation Program that provides a warm and inclusive space for Members to connect during evenings, holidays and scheduled weekends. Each week, Members and staff come together to create a calendar of upcoming activities and events.

Social Recreation Activities include

Card games, board games, dances, video games, movie nights, arts and crafts, karaoke, corn hole, basketball and more.
Holidays are celebrated from 9am-2pm on the actual day they are observed.

Education Supports

Bridge House supports members who want to continue their education.

Staff and members work together to promote and pursue everyone’s academic goals through:

Assistance with school applications
Assistance with financial aid applications
Advocating for accommodations
Weekly education meetings

Housing Resources

Members are provided with a variety of customized supports to assist in:

Locating affordable housing
Assistance with completing housing applications
Assistance with renters’ rebate applications
Developing skills to maintain housing