When Kimberley earned her fifth academic degree earlier this year, a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) from Regent University, the achievement represented far more than academic success. It marked a personal victory over years of struggling with mental illness and denying her diagnosis.
After joining A Place of Our Own Clubhouse alongside her sister in February 2023, Kimberley discovered something she hadn’t fully experienced before: community.
“Coming to the Clubhouse and being around my peers helped me realize I’m not alone,” said Kimberley. “We all have a place in this world — and we all have purpose.”
Today, Kimberley is pursuing new goals with renewed confidence, serving as a spiritual mentor for fellow Clubhouse members while developing both a tele-ministry and nonprofit to share her faith with a broader audience.
Her story is one of many that demonstrates the transformative power of connection, belonging and support at A Place of Our Own Clubhouse.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness and to raise awareness about access to care.
For many individuals living with mental illness, radical disruptions to their personal and professional lives can push them out of school, work, their homes and their communities. This often leads to fear, isolation and confusion, with no clear path forward.
A Place of Our Own Clubhouse aims to change that reality for metro Detroiters struggling with mental illness by providing a safe space where individuals can rebuild their sense of community and rejoin a world that includes friendship, education and meaningful employment.
“When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘we,’ mental illness becomes wellness.” – Clubhouse International
Clubhouse International was founded in the 1940s to create a community-based approach to mental health care, empowering adults with serious mental illness to actively participate in their own recovery.
Research on the more than 300 Clubhouses operating across 30 countries has shown the Clubhouse model to be highly effective for improving mental health outcomes, social connection and employability.
Unlike traditional treatment settings, Clubhouse environments are collaborative rather than clinical. Participants are “members” or “colleagues,” never “patients.” Staff and members work side-by-side, embracing consensus-based decision-making in everything from daily operations to program planning.
Through shared responsibilities, members cultivate meaningful friendships while developing practical, transferable life skills needed to thrive independently, from cooking and cleaning to navigating public transportation and securing housing support.
Pathways to Purpose – Members of A Place of Our Own Clubhouse can also pursue paid employment opportunities with three levels of support tailored to each individual’s needs:
Transitional Work Experience (TWE) -Provides participants with paid, temporary work experience in a supportive environment.
Supported Employment (SE) – Offers individuals with disabilities ongoing support to help them succeed in competitive employment settings.
Independent Employment (IE) – Provides part-time and time-limited employment, generally 15 to 20 hours per week over six to nine months, for individuals rekindling their independence.
For members whose goals are education-focused, Clubhouse also provides support with earning a G.E.D., exploring supported education opportunities and returning to college.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Since opening its doors in 2000, A Place of Our Own Clubhouse has helped countless Detroiters rediscover connection and purpose after periods of isolation.
Roderick is another powerful example of how community can completely reshape someone’s future.
Following years of hospital stays and program transitions after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1993, Roderick found stability, routine and meaningful relationships through Clubhouse membership.
Roderick grew up on Detroit’s east side and has dealt with mental health challenges for more than thirty years. In 1993, while working at a downtown cafeteria, he experienced what he describes as a nervous breakdown after feeling overwhelmed by his workload. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and began receiving help from local mental health programs.
Three years ago, Roderick found his way to A Place of Our Own Clubhouse. Today he attends three days a week, learning with the Clubhouse community and socializing with fellow members.
Roderick enjoys volunteering in the snack shop, where he is actively gaining customer service experience, and attending after-hours community outings to restaurants, shops and sporting events. He also takes pride in helping fellow members stay connected to Detroit opportunities by posting flyers and updates on Clubhouse community bulletin board.
“This Clubhouse changed my life in so many ways,” said Roderick. “I now have a lot more friends. I enjoy sharing my experience.”
For both Kimberley and Roderick, Clubhouse became more than a program. It became a place where they were seen, supported and empowered to move forward.
Find Your Own Place in Our Clubhouse
If you or someone you love has been sidelined by mental illness, let this be a reminder that meaningful friendships, purposeful experiences and supportive communities do exist.
Criteria for admission to A Place of Our Own Clubhouse includes:
- Member must be at least 18 years of age.
- Member must have a documented severe mental illness.
- Member must live in Detroit or Wayne County
Do you think A Place of Our Own Clubhouse may be the place for you? Call (313) 931-0901 or email our Clubhouse director at vernice.murray@goodwilldetroit.org to learn more.
A Place of Our Own Clubhouse is accredited by Clubhouse International and funded by the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN).
