Fountain House

:"Regarding a historic building unrelated to the self-help movement, see: The Fountain House (Doylestown, Pennsylvania)Fountain House is a professional self-help program, operated by men and women recovering from mental illness in collaboration with a professional staff. The program was first established in New York City in 1948, and there are now around 400 Clubhouses internationally. The emphasis at Fountain House is on relationships – member to member, and member to staff. At a clubhouse the Members engage with each other to regain their productivity and self-confidence, resume their lives, and re-enter society. The clubhouse environment also allows its members to learn self-advocacy, and fight the stigma that often separates them from their neighbors. Fountain House’s programs and partnerships originate in its units. Each unit is “home base” for a number of members and staff, who work together to develop and operate a particular activity. In each unit, as well, staff members provide community support for members, to ensure that they receive the benefits and services they need, from both Fountain House and beyond. In 2005, Fountain House was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

References

*http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/nyregion/06donate.html?ex=1278302400&en=93a1beabd4ede5b8&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
*http://carnegie.org/sub/news/anon2005.html