Genesis Club History
Genesis Club officially opened on September 15, 1988 with 25 Clubhouse members. Twelve months prior, a committed and passionate Board of Directors decided that the city of Worcester should have a free standing Clubhouse Model. This decision was made after a visit to Fountain House in New York City and with funding from a new state mental health initiative from Governor Dukakis. This initial board of Directors included individuals from the Central Mass Alliance for the Mentally Ill, local businesses, law offices, the University of Massachusetts Medical School and consumers of mental health services. This Board of Directors recruited and hired Kevin L. Bradley from the Westwood’s Clubhouse in Pittsfield, MA as the first and only Executive Director of the Genesis Club Inc.
From a modest beginning, the Genesis Club has developed a highly recognized Accredited Clubhouse with Clubhouse International that is an Evidenced Based Practice with the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Genesis Club offers vocational training, education, employment, housing, wellness and social supports to over 750 members each year. But most important, Genesis Club offers a community of hope and dignity where recovery is possible.
In 1989, Genesis Club was designated as the Massachusetts Clubhouse training site and in 1991 was certified as an International Clubhouse Training Center. Since that time, the Genesis International Training Center has trained over 250 Clubhouses, 1500 colleagues from 30 states and 15 countries. In 2013, a new training center (The Chandler House) was purchased to provide a more accessible and comfortable setting for visiting Clubhouse colleagues.
In 2003, the Genesis Club completed construction on a new 8,000 sq. ft. addition that included a full service industrial kitchen, dining room, elevator, café, conference room and new unit space.
In 2014, The Genesis Club was awarded its 7th three year Accreditation from Clubhouse International. Genesis Club is also pleased to have five staff and members on the International Clubhouse Faculty and Advisory Board.
Genesis Club strives to be a leading community partner with Worcester employers, landlords, families, colleges/universities and health care providers.
Genesis Club officially opened on September 15, 1988 with 25 Clubhouse members. Twelve months prior, a committed and passionate Board of Directors decided that the city of Worcester should have a free standing Clubhouse Model. This decision was made after a visit to Fountain House in New York City and with funding from a new state mental health initiative from Governor Dukakis. This initial board of Directors included individuals from the Central Mass Alliance for the Mentally Ill, local businesses, law offices, the University of Massachusetts Medical School and consumers of mental health services. This Board of Directors recruited and hired Kevin L. Bradley from the Westwood’s Clubhouse in Pittsfield, MA as the first and only Executive Director of the Genesis Club Inc.
From a modest beginning, the Genesis Club has developed a highly recognized Accredited Clubhouse with Clubhouse International that is an Evidenced Based Practice with the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Genesis Club offers vocational training, education, employment, housing, wellness and social supports to over 750 members each year. But most important, Genesis Club offers a community of hope and dignity where recovery is possible.
In 1989, Genesis Club was designated as the Massachusetts Clubhouse training site and in 1991 was certified as an International Clubhouse Training Center. Since that time, the Genesis International Training Center has trained over 250 Clubhouses, 1500 colleagues from 30 states and 15 countries. In 2013, a new training center (The Chandler House) was purchased to provide a more accessible and comfortable setting for visiting Clubhouse colleagues.
In 2003, the Genesis Club completed construction on a new 8,000 sq. ft. addition that included a full service industrial kitchen, dining room, elevator, café, conference room and new unit space.
In 2014, The Genesis Club was awarded its 7th three year Accreditation from Clubhouse International. Genesis Club is also pleased to have five staff and members on the International Clubhouse Faculty and Advisory Board.
Genesis Club strives to be a leading community partner with Worcester employers, landlords, families, colleges/universities and health care providers.
