WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE OF A
Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is a recovery centre for people living with mental illnesses such as Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, and Schizophrenia. Our innovative approach is progressive and world-renowned, combining a comprehensive network of services that includes opportunities for employment, education, recreation, and health and wellness.
At a Clubhouse, Members engage in a “work-ordered day” to build skills, foster dignity, develop a sense of belonging, and progress in their recovery. The term “Member” reflects the voluntary, community-based nature of a Clubhouse and emphasizes that Members are integral, active, and valued participants of the program. Participation is self-directed with no time limits, allowing Members to remain as long as they wish.
As members and staff work side by side, staff can support members in maintaining their mental health and recognize Members' strengths and talents. Clubhouse programs enhance Member well-being, physical and mental health, and decrease hospitalizations and incarceration. Members choose their activities and contributions, working in partnership with staff on one of the three Clubhouse units: Cafe Unit; Clerical Unit; or First Floor Unit. Tasks completed on each of the Units throughout the day can include:
Café: Planning, preparing and serving meals daily; up-keeping the hydroponics garden; donation outreach and operating the boutique; health and wellness initiatives.
Clerical: Answering phones; performing clerical work and office tasks; data entry, reports, tours, intake, weekly newsletter, clubhouse outreach, daily accounting, and financial reports.
First Floor: Clubhouse front reception, education programming, coffee and snack counter, sandwich bar, weekend meal prep, DJ’ing, Clubhouse podcast: Radio Totally Normal Toronto (RTNT), audio and video production, graphic design, Clubhouse social media
Interested in joining or finding out more about the Clubhouse program?
Please call us at 416-323-0223 or email theclub@progressplace.org
Download our Clubhouse intake form here.
In addition to participating in the Work Ordered Day, the Clubhouse offers Members a range of programs to meet their goals:
Health and Wellness
Education
Employment
Young Adults
Social Recreation
Supported Housing
Health & Wellness
Recognizing that good mental health is supported by good physical health, the Clubhouse offers many Health and Wellness initiatives to help Members feel physically and mentally healthy. From offering three affordable, healthy, and nutritious meals daily, incorporating produce from our indoor garden to health-focused workshops and on-site fitness facility and exercise program, there is something to support Clubhouse Members’ goals for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
What We Offer at Progress Place
Various exercise programs throughout the week such as circuit training, sit and be fit, community walk, total body fitness and zoomba, a dance-based workout
Workshops and discussions on the promotion of physical and nutritional health
Nutritional and balanced diet initiatives
Fitness facilities available to all Members over the lunch hour
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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 i.e. Aging and the Healthy Brain, Heart Health, Dementia.
Education
The Clubhouse offers a range of education support in-house and in the community to help Members pursue their education goals or finish a degree/diploma. These supports also provide an important pathway to build the confidence and skills Members need to reach their employment goals.
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
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.
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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
When members first join the Clubhouse, they often have gaps in their work history due to challenges posed by mental illness. Progress Place provides members the support needed to transition smoothly into the workforce, build confidence, and thrive within a supportive community, ultimately enhancing their long-term employment prospects.
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.
Transitional Employment Program
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 18-30 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.
The Clubhouse provides Young Adults 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.
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.
Social Recreation Activities at the Clubhouse include:
Dances, board games, cards, video games, movie nights, talent show, arts and crafts, karaoke
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, special holiday meals
Supported Housing
Progress Place provides safe and affordable supported bachelor and one-bedroom 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.
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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 people of Progress Place as they forge their courageous and determined paths to recovery. Your donation will help even more people living with mental illness access Progress Place’s recovery-centered programs.