Nonprofit Spotlight: Circle City Clubhouse

By Angela Arlington

History: Circle City Clubhouse opened its doors on February 2, 2015. Work to establish Circle City Clubhouse, however, began in 2010 after changes in funding for mental health services in Indiana led to the closure of clubhouse-type programs across the state – including three such programs in the Indianapolis area. Recognizing the loss of support, a working group (including members from clubhouses that had closed) formed to establish an independent clubhouse. In 2013, private donors provided the capital for start-up funds and the purchase of a clubhouse location.

In July of 2014, Jay Brubaker was hired as the executive director, and in the fall of 2014, the initial group of clubhouse members began meeting once a week in space provided by the Woodruff Place Baptist Church. In December of 2014, Circle City Clubhouse purchased its current location and hired the first program staff in January of 2015. The name “Circle City Clubhouse” was chosen by the initial members.

About: Circle City Clubhouse is an organization dedicated to supporting the recovery and wellness of persons who have mental illness through the internationally recognized, award-winning Clubhouse International model. “Our mission is to afford people whose lives have been drastically disrupted by mental illness (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, chronic anxiety or depression, or other serious mental illnesses) the opportunity to recover meaningful and productive lives through reintegration with the workplace and the community,” Jay Brubaker explained.

Circle City Clubhouse supports adults recovering from mental illness through a unique and non-traditional approach that provides a supportive community and a place where such individuals are welcomed, valued, and needed. Clubhouse participants (known as members) volunteer and work alongside staff and share responsibility for completing all aspects of operating the organization.

Circle City Clubhouse specifically addresses the issues of social isolation and social stigma that many individuals in recovery from serious mental illness face. “As a result of their illness, many of our members have lost contact with family and friends,” Brubaker said. “They lost jobs or other contacts and connections to the community. This isolation is not only a symptom of the illness; the lack of connection to other humans often increases the risk and severity of the mental illness itself.” Circle City Clubhouse creates a community that strives to be free from the stigma around mental illness, where members can explore their abilities and interests instead of focusing on their illnesses and deficits and build real and lasting relationships with others.”

The Clubhouse also supports members in beginning the practical work of reclaiming their previous lives in the community at large, with staff and members working together to provide social and recreational opportunities, employment and educational support, and assisting each other with accessing needed community resources such as housing or benefits. Clubhouse membership is open-ended, allowing members to continue to receive support in maintaining their recovery and providing ready access to supports if relapses occur.

“Through involvement in real and meaningful work, members and staff build relationships focused on each other’s strengths and gifts, rather than weaknesses and liabilities – providing the opportunity for members to re-conceptualize themselves from patient-in-need to person with skills and gifts,” Brubaker said. Members are empowered to make meaningful choices about who they work with and what tasks they do, enabling them to take ownership of their own recovery process.

Volunteers are always needed. “Circle City Clubhouse is in need of individuals to help build awareness of our organization, help us to raise funding to cover the cost of providing service to members who do not have Medicaid or another funding source, and to serve on our board and administrative committees and assist with our fundraising events,” Brubaker added.

Upcoming Fundraiser: On June 1, 2022, Circle City Clubhouse will be participating with clubhouses around the world in “Clubhouse Giving Day,” an online fundraising campaign to build awareness of and raise support for clubhouse communities worldwide.

Anyone interested in learning more about Circle City Clubhouse is welcome to join the virtual “Meet Me at the Clubhouse” Zoom meetings from 12 to 1 pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. Meetings include an introduction to the Clubhouse model, sharing by Clubhouse members, and a virtual facility tour. The link to register is: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tZMrdu6sqzguHtWgWdqk BA3pX3vuksUq1wm6

Testimonials: “Hi, my name is Ellen. I found out that I had a mental illness when I was in high school. Growing up, I thought it was normal to want to harm yourself and think about dying. I got very depressed and sometimes would sleep 20 hours a day. I was hospitalized multiple times and attempted suicide.

I became a member of Circle City Clubhouse 4 years ago, and it has helped me a lot. My friends at Clubhouse are like a second family for me – they accept me for who I am and help motivate me to get out of bed in the morning. Last year, I started work at TJ Maxx through the Clubhouse Transitional Employment program. After completing that placement, Clubhouse helped me get my own independent job at Kohls. I like meeting and working with my co-workers, and having a job makes me feel important.” Ellen S.

“Circle City Clubhouse is a place where people were concerned about me, had compassion for me, and where I found self-worth. When I come in the doors, I feel like I can contribute by helping others with their mental illnesses and helping them become the best that they can be. I feel that people need a place in mental health [care] where there is no stigma, no rejection, no isolation, and no judgment. That place is Circle City Clubhouse.” Sevella P.