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WATERVILLE — High Hopes, which provides employment, education and social opportunities for people with severe and persistent mental illness, has been recognized among all of Clubhouse International’s Clubhouses as having the highest percent of its members — 79 percent — who are working in supported or independent employment, according to a news release from the organization.
Clubhouse International, a support group for people living with mental illness, has more than 320 Clubhouses in 34 countries, each of which strives to meet or exceed an international standard that at least 20 percent of the Clubhouse’s average daily membership is actively working, according to the release.
With 79 percent of active members working, High Hopes in Waterville and its sister Clubhouses, Looking Ahead in Lewiston, and Capitol Clubhouse in Augusta, are known to be among the most effective Clubhouses in the world. Collectively, the three Clubhouses serve more than 600 members each year.
According to Clubhouse International’s most recent accreditation report, “High Hopes is an exceptional Clubhouse community, which excels in its compliance to all of the Clubhouse International Standards. The Clubhouse is dedicated to providing a community where members are treated with dignity and respect and given everyone opportunity to be valuable members of their community.”
Statewide organizations recognize the value of Clubhouse as well. Earlier this month, at its annual meeting, NAMI Maine [National Alliance on Mental Illness] presented the three Clubhouses, all under the umbrella of Kennebec Behavioral Health, with their Outstanding Partner Award.
According to Jenna Mehnert, executive director of NAMI Maine “we are very honored to work with the staff of your Clubhouses. Not only do we respect the work clubhouses accomplish in partnership with peers, we appreciate how willing they are to engage with NAMI Maine staff on various projects.”
Lisa Soucie, director of High Hopes, said in the news release it takes a whole community to make a Clubhouse successful. High Hopes’ 20th anniversary of providing service in the greater Waterville area is this year.
For details about High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville, Looking Ahead Clubhouse in Lewiston or Capitol Clubhouse in Augusta, or any of Kennebec Behavioral Health’s services and supports, go online to www.kbhmaine.org or call 207-873-2136, ext. 1905.
