Perspectives on the Standards

Clubhouses provide support services with the intention of freeing members from worries about survival, so that we can concentrate on becoming whole people. If our clubhouses concentrated exclusively on "case management" the work of our clubhouses would go undone—but if our colleagues are preoccupied by worries about basic survival they cannot do the work! Because the clubhouse model is all about community and employs generalist staff, if we need assistance we have help in dealing with the many different agencies or specialists.

Colleagues work together to informally and formally support each other at all times. Sometimes we find it easier to approach clubhouse colleagues about our problems than to approach other people. We focus on abilities, not disabilities, but we do acknowledge that members have problems that directly relate to their diagnosis—such as poverty. To provide support services to members without being reduced to overseeing them, staff must engage members in work—the work of the units, T.E., and I.E. And the ability to provide support in a way which does not diminish our colleagues depends upon the relationships we build while doing the work of the clubhouse. Clubhouse relationships are simultaneously work relationships and "personal." We get to know each other by working side-by-side and we are involved in each others' lives in what is considered a "personal" way.