MA CLUBHOUSE COALITION

ARTICLES

Employers Honored on Capitol Hill for Mental Health Leadership

John Peacock, Executive Director of the Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, was honored at the Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, for his leadership in promoting the hiring of adults who have psychiatric disabilities with the support of inclusion and resiliency centers called Clubhouses. Mr. Peacock is a member of the National Employer Advisory Board, providing leadership for a U.S. wide effort to expand employment opportunities for adults who are recovering from the effects of mental illness. The National Employment Expansion Project has engaged the leadership of 74 employers in twenty-five states, in an effort to expand employment opportunities for people who are recovering from the illness. Twenty-one of the corporate and non-profit leaders were presented with awards in DC and the additional companies will receive their awards in the states where their companies do business. ... for full article

Lieutenant Governor Murray Applauds Employer Leaders

On May 3, 2007, the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC) celebrated the employment success of over 1,899 Massachusetts residents who have serious and persistent mental illness and 35 of the companies who employed them. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray joined with Clubhouse members, legislators, families, allies and advocates as well as the Department of Mental Health Commissioner in recognizing Clubhouse members’ acomplishments and the employer leaders who have helped them achieve so much. ... for full article

First National Employment Celebrationon Capitol Hill Was A Resounding Successc

The Employment Expansion Project held the first National Employment Celebration event in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 22,2007. The event focused attention on the accomplishments of people who have mental illness that have gained employment with support from Clubhouses certified by the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD). Forty-one employers were honored by their Congressional representatives for playing a leadership role in encouraging their colleagues to hire Clubhouse members. Each employer honoree wrote a reference letter to support the work of developing additional jobs. The Project, organized by the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, is dedicated to expanding employment opportunities and dispelling the stigma of mental illness that often serves as a barrier to employment. Over 300 people from 63 Clubhouses and other organizations from 19 states across the U.S. participated in the Celebration held in our nation’s Capitol. Approaching the podium to a standing ovation, ... for full article

Effort Under Way To End Homlessness In Massachusetts

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Tim Murray are collaborating with legislative and community leaders in an effort to end homelessness in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC) plans to support this effort by educating officials about the housing needs of people who have mental illness. In November, Clubhouse members testified at an Ending Homelessness hearing and spoke eloquently about the importance of having a safe place to call home. Our collective voices are needed to advocate for additional funding for housing and support services to address the pressing, unmet housing needs that so severely impact the lives of people who have mental illness. The MCC is perfectly situated to play a key role in helping to prevent homelessness for the 8,000 people who have mental illness who participate in Clubhouses each year. Clubhouses provide flexible housing supports to help people move out of shelters and group homes into their own apartments. Clubhouses offer peer support, assistance in obtaining rental stipends, apartment search assistance and help with moving and landlord mediation while also providing employment and education assistance, dual recovery support and active outreach to help people stay connected.... for full article

Libraries And Clubhouses: An Exciting Partnership

Thanks to guidance from the Employment Expansion Project Employer Advisory Board members, and in particular Board member Kathy Glick-Weil, Director of the Newton Free Library and Past President of the Massachusetts Library Association, the Project has embarked on an exciting partnership between Clubhouses and libraries. In addition to distributing employer reference letters from three library employers to all US ICCD certified Clubhouses, the Project has begun a series of activities including participating in library tradeshows, hosting luncheons for library and Clubhouse staff and organizing trainings for library staff about mental illness. The Project has found that participating in business trade shows is an excellent vehicle to spread the word about Clubhouse employment while educating about mental illness. Trade shows provide immediate access to a large number of potential employers at one time. This year, the Project staffed exhibit booths at two library conventions, the Massachusetts Library Association Convention in May, 2007 and the New England Library Association Conference in October, 2007. ... for full article