Jerusalem’s clubhouse of hope

Jerusalem is a city filled with places waiting to be discovered, places that I am not always aware of, despite being a long-term resident of 15+ years. One such place that I learned about recently, and that should be put on the map, is Clubhouse Jerusalem, located off the beaten track in a small alleyway near the Mahaneh Yehuda market. It's part of the Clubhouse Amit non-profit organization, which was established to improve the quality of life for all who are in the process of dealing with the consequences of severe mental health crises. It strives to help those who have been through such struggles integrate into general society in all aspects of life. Clubhouse Jerusalem, one of three such centers in Israel – the other two being in Tiberias and Upper Nazareth – is part of the Clubhouse International movement, which began in New York in 1948 and since has spread to 350 Clubhouses worldwide. The Jerusalem branch was established in March 2014 with the support of the Health Ministry and the National Insurance Institute's Fund for Special Activities. Currently, it has 125 registered members who enjoy a warm and caring family atmosphere. Some work voluntarily inside the clubhouse while others work in paid employment outside if they feel ready and wish to do so. The center is open every day of the year, from the morning until mid-afternoon, and is eligible for rehabilitation services from health funds according to the “Law of Rehabilitation for the Mentally Ill” in the community. The clubhouse prides itself on being an open community without any hierarchy and with everyone receiving an equal say, regardless of whether they are members or staff. There are no formal meetings or contracts and all decisions are made together. Great emphasis is placed on providing support for each other. Meetings are held twice daily, in the morning and in the afternoon, where decisions are made about the work order of the day, such as who will be assigned to doing different tasks for the clubhouse like preparing meals for that day. All tasks are voluntary in the center and people can decide according to where their interests lie. The timetable is displayed on a computer for everyone to see. Examples of some of the administrative tasks include an attendance check, manning the reception area, telephone communication with members and preparing reports of the clubhouse's income and expenses. There are also tasks in the marketing field, for instance compiling newsletters and updating the Facebook page. Last but by no means least, there is also a unit responsible for organizing leisure activities such as photography and art classes, or attending external events such as concerts or basketball games. This level of preemployment is designed to create a supportive community basis and provide them with experience in an occupational direction with a view to eventually working outside. Members who work outside also continue to volunteer at the clubhouse in addition to their externally paid job. After attending one of the twice-daily meetings at Clubhouse Jerusalem, I was given a tour of the premises. I was impressed by the friendly, warm atmosphere of the place, both aesthetically and created by those who were there. The clubhouse is decorated with paintings and postcards from a project run by students of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in which members also participated. Its theme of openness and equality extends to the design and layout of the center – all the offices including that of director Marcio Grinman have windows so that everyone can look into the office and an open-door policy. One member, Rachel who is originally from the US, has been attending the Clubhouse for the past two years on a daily basis. She worked as a social workers' assistant in a hospital and has been hospitalized many times for mental health reasons. Rachel said that the clubhouse and her work preparing meals gives her a purpose and a reason to wake up in the morning, with something to look forward to. One such project that highlights the caring and personal nature of the community is where every member chose a song that they liked and as soon as they entered the center the person at the reception would play the song, which required them to be alert as they had no idea when the member would walk in! Those who volunteer in the kitchen are also responsible for ordering and buying the food, deciding on the monthly menu, setting up and clearing away the dining room. A full meal of salad and the main course is heavily subsidized and costs just NIS 5. Between 35 and 40 people eat at the clubhouse every day and they also prepare meals for those who work outside and want to pick food up at the end of their working day. The clubhouse also boasts a room where people can hang out, talk or read. A selection of books is provided by Sipur Hozer, an NGO that sells second-hand books for NIS 20. There is an employment room with computers where people wishing to work outside the clubhouse can look for employment. The center places great emphasis on engaging in meaningful and significant employment and on members regaining the workforce as soon as they feel ready to. Emphasis is placed on helping each person discover and use their skills. An employed member is paid at least minimum wage. He or she will typically work in a place for six months before moving to another position so as to develop in a variety of skills in different areas. When members feel ready to work outside, there are several options of support available to them: independent employment, supportive employment and transitional employment. For independent employment, the clubhouse accompanies the member throughout the process from behind the scenes, including the search for a job, but it does not accompany the employer as this is deemed unnecessary. However, for supportive employment, the member is accompanied in the same way but a member of the clubhouse team also attends the work interview and the workplace, and acts as a conduit between the employee and employer should any problems arise. The final stage of employment which is the highlight of the clubhouse model is the transitional model stage. This where the member feels that it is necessary to receive broader support from the center and a slower, more gradual entrance into the workforce. This is also the perfect model for employers wishing to integrate workers but who do not have the resources to invest in the issue. If the person is absent from work for any reason, the clubhouse commits to sending another member or staff member in their stead so that the employer is not left stranded. In this day and age, despite (and perhaps because of) the fact that we are all so connected through social media, the need for personal contact and a friendly and supportive face is greater than ever. Clubhouse Jerusalem is an organization that provides such a service to those who need it. To contact Clubhouse Jerusalem: www.clubhouseamit.org, jerusalem@clubhouseamit.org, (02) 560-6644 or on Facebook.

Jerusalem’s clubhouse of hope

Clubhouse Jerusalem, one of three such centers in Israel is part of the Clubhouse International movement, which began in New York in 1948.

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Jerusalem’s clubhouse of hope

Clubhouse Jerusalem, one of three such centers in Israel is part of the Clubhouse International movement, which began in New York in 1948.

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