Progress Place Clubhouse: A Free Mental Health Recovery Program in Toronto
A Place Where You Belong
The Clubhouse at Progress Place is a recovery community built around a simple but powerful idea — that everyone has something to contribute, and that meaningful work and genuine community are essential to mental health recovery. We welcome adults 18+ living with a primary diagnosis of mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
How the Clubhouse Works
The Clubhouse is built around a "work-ordered day" — a structured, supportive environment where Members and staff work side by side as equals. There are no deadlines, no performance reviews and no time limits on membership. You show up when you can, contribute what you're able and stay for as long as the Clubhouse serves you.
This approach is internationally recognized and grounded in decades of research showing that meaningful engagement reduces hospitalizations and incarceration, builds resilience and confidence, and improves overall quality of life.
Members choose where they'd like to help out. There are three areas to work in:
Café: Help plan and prepare daily meals, look after the garden, run the boutique and support health and wellness activities.
Clerical: Answer phones, help with office tasks, write the weekly newsletter and support the day-to-day running of the Clubhouse.
First Floor: Welcome visitors, help with education programs, work on the Clubhouse podcast, Radio Totally Normal Toronto, create videos and graphics, and manage social media.
In addition to participating in the "work-ordered day", the Clubhouse offers Members a range of programs to meet their goals, including:
Ready to Join?
If you’re interested in becoming a Clubhouse Member, please fill out the form below or call us at 416-323-0223.
Need more information? Download our brochure or contact us at theclub@progressplace.org.
Download our Clubhouse intake form here.
Health & Wellness
Recognizing that good mental health is supported by good physical health, the Clubhouse offers a range of Health and Wellness initiatives to help Members thrive.
In 2024–25, we served 37,513 affordable, healthy meals, including 8,953 made with produce grown by Members in our indoor farm. Combined with health-focused workshops and an on-site fitness program, these supports promote holistic well-being and healthy living.
The Clubhouse provides Members the following health and wellness supports and opportunities:
Weekly exercise programs such as circuit training, sit and be fit, community walks, total body fitness and Zumba, a dance-based workout
Workshops and discussions on the promotion of physical and nutritional health
Nutritional and balanced diet initiatives
On-site fitness facilities
Annual Health and Wellness Fair with community health and wellness-focused agencies
Our Health and Wellness Partners:
Regent Park Community Health Centre: Engages Members in workshops and one-on-one meetings, catered to individual needs to discuss health matters such as diabetes, healthy eating, lifestyle, and sickness prevention.
Annual Health & Wellness Fair: Each year, 15-20 organizations participate in an all-day event featuring topics related to health promotion, sickness prevention, nutrition, and physical activity.
University of Toronto: Students conduct academic research and evaluations of Progress Place’s Health and Wellness programs and provide recommendations for improvement.
Sherbourne Health: Conducts bimonthly presentations on a health topic chosen by Clubhouse Members (e.g. Aging and the Healthy Brain, Heart Health, Dementia, Healthy Relationships, etc).
Education
At the Clubhouse, we believe in empowering our members to pursue their educational goals and unlock new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
We offer a range of educational supports, both in-house and in the community, designed to help members complete their studies and build the confidence and skills they need to achieve their career goals, creating a solid foundation for a brighter future.
In 2024-25, 79 members actively worked toward their educational aspirations, with eight successfully graduating from high school, college or university.
The Clubhouse provides Members the following education supports and opportunities:
Peer-to-peer tutoring/mentoring program
Exploring local education programs and schools, such as campus tours, info sessions, etc.
Access to the Clubhouse Education room with computer training and other educational resources
Workshops on bursaries, scholarship opportunities, education and career planning
Annual Education Expo and Graduation Celebration
In-house learning opportunities such as French and Spanish groups, and digital literacy
Our Education Partners:
Toronto District School Board: Members receive support to enroll in courses at subsidized rates
George Brown College: Members can enroll in select free full-time accredited courses and programs.
Centennial College: Progress Place works with Campus Mental Health Partnerships at Centennial College to connect Members with disability services available to them.
Employment
Many Clubhouse Members experience gaps in their work history due to mental health challenges, requiring support to re-enter the workforce. We offer tools, resources and encouragement to build confidence, enhance job readiness and gain experience, empowering members to find meaningful employment and improve their long-term prospects within a supportive community.
In 2024–25, 212 members earned $1,907,823 — reflecting a 22% increase in Members employed. This growth powerfully reflects the impact of our program in helping individuals return to work, achieve financial stability and build brighter futures.
The Clubhouse provides Members the following employment supports and opportunities:
Transitional Employment Program: We provide individuals with mental illness a smooth transition into the workplace. Members work in job placements supported by Clubhouse staff. Collaborating with partners in the business community, Transitional Employment offers members a chance to enter or return to the job market, receive the support they need to stay on the job, earn a competitive wage and build their self-confidence.
Group Employment Program: Members work in the community with peers and staff in a supportive, team-based setting.
Independent Employment Program: Members receive support in securing permanent jobs, with ongoing assistance to ensure long-term success.
Young Adults
The Clubhouse’s Young Adult program connects Young Adult Members aged 18-35 with their peers. Many Young Adults expressed that their mental illness has changed their relationships with friends and family. By creating an open, non-judgmental forum through focused Young Adult tours, intake, weekly lunches and social outings, Members who have had similar struggles have an opportunity to foster a sense of community.
In 2024/25, 249 Young Adults participated in our Clubhouse Program.
The Clubhouse provides Young Adult Members with the following supports and opportunities:
Young Adult Lunch every Tuesday, where Young Adult Members share their experiences, celebrate achievements and plan the Young Adult Program.
Focused Young Adult Tour and Intake allows Young Adults to be fast-tracked into the program, reducing barriers to Membership.
Employment and Education supports, including resume writing, job search, mock interviews, school applications, mentoring, tutoring and scholarship workshops.
Creative Projects/Digital Activities such as graffiti wall, spoken word, DJ booth, digital media and computer access.
Social and recreation activities, including sports, dances, billiards, movie nights and outings to special events.
Supported Housing
Progress Place provides safe and affordable supported bachelor housing units near the Clubhouse, coordinated through The Access Point, in partnership with St. Michaels Hospital, CAMH and Toronto Community Housing. People can apply through The Access Point website or by calling The Access Point at 416-640-1934.
Join Our Clubhouse Today!
If you’re interested in becoming a Clubhouse Member, fill out the form below and we will be in touch.
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Become a Member
We welcome anyone with mental health issues and or mental illness to join as a member. Becoming a member is simple. At Progress Place we provide a quick acceptance and entry.
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Partner With Us
Progress Place is dedicated to the recovery of people living with mental illness by providing opportunities for members to live, work, and learn, while contributing their strengths and talents within a community of mutual support. Help us lead the next wave of innovation in mental health recovery and grow the impact we are having on our community.
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Donate Now
Support the courageous members of Progress Place on their path to recovery. Your donation will help expand access to nutritious meals, vital peer support through phone, text, and chat, and specialized programs for seniors, reaching even more individuals living with mental illnes
Social Recreation
Progress Place Clubhouse offers a strong and spirited social recreation program, providing a welcoming and friendly place for all Members to socialize during evenings, weekends and holidays, 365 days of the year. Members and staff on the social events planning committee meet regularly to create a calendar of upcoming events and activities.
In 2024/25, 563 Members took part in Social Recreation activities.
The Clubhouse provides Members with the following social recreation activities:
Dances, board games, cards, video games, movie nights, talent show, arts and crafts, karaoke and more
Fitness classes, sports and our baseball team, “the Progressors”
Holiday celebrations, including New Year’s Eve dance and Holiday Celebration Party
Affordable lunch, dinner and snacks every day of the week, as well as special holiday meals