Eastern Clubhouse Conference

The Eastern Clubhouse Conference was held March 22-25th in Bethesda, Maryland. Representing Genesis was Kevin Bradley, Walt Cunningham, Alex Koslov, Ruth Osterman and Pete Travisano.   Laurel House was the organizer, and did a great job. 

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The Eastern Clubhouse Conference was held March 22-25th in Bethesda, Maryland. Representing Genesis was Kevin Bradley, Walt Cunningham, Alex Koslov, Ruth Osterman and Pete Travisano.   Laurel House was the organizer, and did a great job.  Over 15 Clubhouses were represented from the Carolinas to Maine, and as far west as Kansas.  The ICCD (International Center for Clubhouse Development) and the MCC (Mass. Clubhouse Coalition) were also participants and contributors, as well as TJ Maxx and the Sidney Bear Foundation.

Representatives from the Clubhouse world met Sunday afternoon and began with sessions on Clubhouse Standards, Self-Studies, and Using the Standards to Improve Your Clubhouse; Clubhouse Innovations-Wellness, Employment, Education, Young Adults, and Housing: Advocacy and Organizing for Clubhouse Excellence; and Clubhouse Data and Using the Data  (see accompanying article for Genesis participants’ comments on the workshops and events).  Late in the afternoon, a Plenary Session was held on Leading the Charge-A Historical Perspective.

Monday began with a general meeting on Aspiring to the Challenge for Change, Inside and Out. Workshops and breakout sessions followed with Wellness; Clubhouse Education; Clubhouse Research and Evidenced Based Practices; and Fundraising and Sustainable Development.  The afternoon had Employment; Housing; Engaging Young Adults; and Quality Improvement in the Clubhouse.  These were followed mid-afternoon by Life Outside the Work Ordered Day, Creative Technology-Clubhouse Newscasts, Web Sites and Radio Shows; and Community and Clubhouse Connections.

Monday night was time for ‘now something completely different’.  Actor and Producer Joe Pantaliano (a.k.a. Joey Pants) of Risky Business, Sopranos, Matrix, Canvas, among other projects, was a great guest speaker, talking about his own mental illness, the need for more inclusion of mental health and mental illness issues in the earlier education curriculum, and public and political advocacy about support for mental illness issues.  This was followed by a preliminary cut of his new film, ‘No Kidding-Me Too’ in which he filmed interviews with 5 people struggling with and dealing with mental illness.  The cast showed up and answered questions and mingled with Clubhouse staff and members; some even participated in the activities. Great folks!

Tuesday was political action day.  Staff, members and friends went to Capitol Hill and visited, by appointment, their Clubhouses legislators, speaking about the importance of Clubhouses.  We were well received.

After the visits, an Employment Celebration Dinner was held.  Key political speakers for Massachusetts were Barney Frank, Jim McGovern, and an aide from Edward Kennedy’s office.  Awards were given to employers who participate in Clubhouse Transitional Employment.  This year receiving awards were Patrick Flavin, Manager of Workforce Initiatives from TJX, Bill Tsaknapolous,  Director of Auxiliary Services from U.Mass. Medical School, and Victor Somma, Director of Marketing and Public Affairs from Quinsigamond Community College.  It was great!

Wednesday, before heading home, there was a general meeting on Mobilizing the Clubhouse for Employment, Excellence and Action.  The wrap-up came with break-out sessions on Balancing the Work Ordered Day and a Vibrant Employment Program; and Where Do We Go From Here?

And then the trek home, tired but full of shared ideas and glad to have made new friends, all striving in the Clubhouse world for excellence.