• Middletown
• Chester
• Pre-Vocational
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 Individuals
with severe and persistent mental illness often need a place to
go where their differences are accepted and where they feel welcome
and safe. In order to meet that need, Gilead has created a Social
Center (or "clubhouse" as it is called in the mental health field).
Membership is open to all community members living with a chronic
mental illness. The Social Center follows a model called "the clubhouse
model" which was pioneered by the Fountain
House in New York City in 1948. Currently over 200 "clubhouses"
have been established around the world based on this model. Clubhouses
create an environment in which social and vocational skills are
developed and the self-confidence to accompany those skills is nurtured.
Underlying all clubhouse programs are several basic premises. It
is a club, thus all who participate belong. They are members, not
patients or clients. Members are made to feel their presence is
expected. All elements of the program are designed so that members
feel needed as contributors to the program. The program will not
work without the participation and cooperation of the members. Each
function of the clubhouse is shared by members working side by side
with staff. All the naturally occurring activities of running the
clubhouse (e.g. clerical functions, food preparations, tours, advocacy,
etc.) are converted into opportunities for members and staff to
work together. Through the knowledge that one's presence is needed
to accomplish the work of the clubhouse, members develop the habit
of coming every day at a certain time, thereby creating a sense
of shared purpose.
The Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
(including holidays), and revolves around the work of the following
units:
- Culinary Unit: members make and serve a light breakfast
and a nutritious lunch for 35-50 people each weekday. They shop
at the Food Bank and area supermarkets, after planning each
monthly menu. They set up, cook, serve and clean up 5 days a
week, year round.
- In-reach Unit: participants perform administrative tasks
for the Center, including answering the phones, and writing
and publishing a monthly newsletter for members. They also
maintain the grounds and flower/vegetable gardens. They are
responsible for the atmosphere of the Center.
- Education Unit: Offers interactive workshops for members
on various subjects, from GED preparation to advocacy training
at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Hartford.
The Education Unit has also taught the WRAP model (Wellness
Recovery Action Plan) developed by Mary Ellen Copeland, and
worked through the Lilly Foundations Nutrition and Exercise
Program. Topics are suggested depending on the needs of the
members of the unit.
- Communications-Outreach Unit maintains ties with members
and the community. This Unit travels to various sites to educate
groups regarding psychiatric disabilities including area colleges
and hospitals. This Unit has also been highly visible as part
of the CLRP (Connecticut Legal Rights Project) “Keep the
Promise” Campaign and advocacy work at the state capitol
and LOB. This group has written letters, marched at the Capitol,
held press conferences and testified at hearings. They are a
passionate and loud bunch of folks!
- Leisure activities are offered weekdays in the afternoon,
from trips to the Mall to a Bus Training Program. We have an
annual 4 day camping trip at Camp Harkness in Waterford, and
attend events at the Big E, Mystic Aquarium, and area museums.
- Community Reintegration: We encourage local groups to
integrate with our membership in the form of joint service projects.
Gilead Friends and Family Satisfaction Survey Results
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