NEWS & ANALYSIS

The Up Clubhouse organization opens its doors to the public

By Abby E. Schachter The Suburban It's nearly impossible to feel at home when you're being treated as a patient and not a person. Unfortunately the majority of medical centres are known for having a cold and unwelcoming atmosphere. This is why The Up Clubhouse (a centre for people suffering from mental illness) is so revolutionary. It does not stigmatize its members. Instead, participants feel comfortable and valuable. "We respect the disability," said staff member Leib Reuven Feldman earnestly. "This is not a closed off environment, we provide honest help and support for the patient," he added. After much anticipation the Up Clubhouse has finally made its way to Montreal. "This is the first one in Quebec," said Feldman. There are more than 300 Up Clubhouses located around the world. "They have them in France, South Africa, even Uganda," he added. The centre was originally called Fountain House and was founded in 1948 in New York. A group of former psychiatric patients felt that they had been RUE A A A A A 2 VS

July 22 7:30 McGill Stadium

1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 released too soon, so they decided to create a support group for themselves. The club instilled members with a "sense of belonging, and usefulness." From that point on, the organization expanded and evolved into the global phenomenon it is today. Though the renovations are still in process, the centre looks very welcoming. The walls are colourful; painted in hues of blue, green and peach. According to Up Clubhouse organizer Ruth Mclellan, even something as small as colour on the walls serve a purpose. "We made a conscious choice (about the colour)," she said, "It's buzzing with positive energy." According to Mclellan, open and bright spaces impact a person's mood. The goal is to create a happy setting, one unlike any hospital or psychiatric ward. In order to become a member of Up Clubhouse, you have to be 18 and over. A person also has to have been diagnosed with a mental illness. "They need to have a support team; we don't accept anyone under the influence. They have to be safe," explained Erica Botner, one of the program's facilitators. The Up Clubhouse program is com- T S 2 2 2 2 1 R 2 Q 2 M M N P 2 1 3 P P 4 P 5 P N P 7 6 P ÉCRAN GÉANT GIANT SCREEN AVAILABLE SECTIONS pletely voluntary. No one is forced to participate. Everyone is given the choice. "Members are able to come as often as they want," said Botner. The schedule does not enforce participants to spend the entire day at Up Clubhouse. "It depends on the member. For some people one hour is a lot and for others it's not enough," explained Feldman. Up Clubhouse is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and follows a regimented rehabilitation program called "the Work Ordered Day." Botner emphasized that the Up Clubhouse is not a recreational centre. "Members don't come here to hang out and lounge all day. They come here to work." Every morning, participants are given the choice of what tasks they would like to focus on that day. There are three different work units. Administrative, Communication and Café. These include training in reception, cooking, banking, filing, taxing, budgeting, photography, com-

1,000 tickets available

Gold, Silver, Bronze, End zones

MontrealAlouettes.com TICKET OFFICE: 1260, rue University Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 514-790-1245 puter graphics and healthy living/eating. The courses create a bond between members and staff. They become colleagues, not doctor and patient or teacher and student. The program also offers employment opportunities for members looking to work. "There are multiple levels of employment. It feels really good to work for your money and earn it," said Botner. The program focuses on making members feel useful and knowledgeable. If you're interested in contacting the Up Clubhouse organization or know someone who could benefit from this program; call: 514-764-5599. If you would like to see the Up Clubhouse for yourself, open house appointments can be booked by phone. n Since 1959

Breakfast Every Day

Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday & Sunday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Includes: 2 Eggs Bacon or Ham or Sausage Home Fries Toast Coffee HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY $ 1 99 Dining Room Only 5737 Côte des Neiges (across from the Jewish General Hospital) DELIVERY 514-738-3251

Super Special

11 a.m. - 8 p.m 8 CHOICES SOUP INCLUDED $ 4 95 Dining Room Only THE SUBURBAN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010 * 7

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

You need to upgrade the version of your Flash Player to version 9 minimum.

Click here

Adobe Flash Player Download Center