A Publication of Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse
Dream Weaver Volume 26 Number 1
Founded 1991
Winter 2016-2017
Twenty-five Years To Remember… by Joyce Rupp 2016 marked Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse’s 25th Anniversary as a Clubhouse—a milestone indeed! On December 1, 1991, the determination was made by the Oakland County Community Mental Health Board (presently known as the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority) to convert the existing psychosocial day activity program (Suburban Oakland Life Enrichment Inside this issue: Center-South) to the Clubhouse Model. This transition happened during a time Cover…..……..…25 Years for DUC when the words “recovery”, “person-centered planning”, “self-determination”, Page 2…..…A Year to Remember “empowerment”, “engagement”, “choice”, and “peer support” were virtually Page 3……….From Our Members unheard of in terms of describing the mental health service delivery system. 1222 Catalpa Drive Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: (248) 544-2034 Fax: (248) 544-2152
For psychosocial rehabilitation programming, the conversion to the Clubhouse Model meant an entirely different way of working with persons that were then Page 5…………....About Our Units known as “patients” or “clients”. In addition, it meant that, instead of staff doing Page 6……………..Valentine Party things “to” and “for” those recipients of services, we were now being trained to do things “with” them and to call them “members” if they attended the Page 7…………..From Our Interns Clubhouse. This concept seems so foreign to those of us associated with a Clubhouse today--but for those who had lived through those times--it was very Thank you to the Clubhouse Members, Staff and Volunteers real. Page 4……..Employment & More
who contributed to this edition of Dream Weaver: Joyce R. Nancy H. Shayne R. Casey J. Tom F. David H. Norman S. Melanie B. Anna L. Lyndsey S.
A special “thank you” to Norman for all of the Valentine Party pictures!
These significant changes that were made to improve the mental health system in Michigan over these past twenty-five years were in no way made easily and without causing a lot of confusion and frustration for all involved. But together we have struggled--both members and staff along with administration-to learn “why” and “how” Clubhouses work so well in helping members to regain their self-worth and to improve their overall quality of life. Yes, in so many ways, the Clubhouse Model has been way ahead of its time since the very first Clubhouse opened its doors in New York City in 1948. Clubhouses have always been about recovery, empowerment, engagement, choice, person-centeredness, self-determination and peer support. But yet the model itself remains so simple and yet so profound—provide an environment where people feel welcomed, needed, and missed—and their overall mental health improves through the supportive relationships that they have formed with others. On Friday, May 19th from 2:00-6:00 pm, Dreams Unlimited will be officially celebrating our past 25 years as a Clubhouse during an Open House Event where the community-at-large will be welcomed to join us. More information about the specifics of the day will be forthcoming.