A New Resource for Patients with Mental Illness
Some of Maple City Health Care Center’s patients live with mental illness. Maple City’s board and staff are working to help patients with mental illness by supporting a new organization called Elkhart County Clubhouse.
This new organization will help people with mental illness to re-enter life in the community.
The Elkhart County Clubhouse will be similar to Clubhouses in 330 communities in 27 countries around the world. Like these sister Clubhouses, the Elkhart County Clubhouse will be a place where people with mental illness find a sense of belonging, of community, and of hope as members of the Clubhouse.
Clubhouse members will take responsibility for the maintenance of the facility and the success of the organization. Meaningful work will help provide relationships and stability for Clubhouse members.
Oaklawn Psychiatric Center and Maple City Health Care Center are collaborating to help Clubhouse.
Elkhart County Clubhouse is, however, a totally separate organization with its own board and budget.
Lora Rusel is one of the Maple City’s staffers who have worked to establish Elkhart County Clubhouse. “Many of the people who are working to create a Clubhouse here in Elkhart County went to visit a Clubhouse in Ft. Wayne called Carriage House,” Lora said. “The moment we stepped through the door, we were struck by the upbeat atmosphere. Everyone looked like they belonged because each person had a way to contribute. It was hard to tell which person was a member and which person was on staff.”
Maple City Health Care Center’s board approved financial assistance to help with start-up costs of the Elkhart County Clubhouse.
“The Clubhouse will help Maple City Health Care Center accomplish our mission of providing integrated care for our patients,” said Max Mertz, member of Maple City Health Care Center’s board.