The Clubhouse Movement and Clubhouse International
The Clubhouse Movement started in 1948 by a few people who, after being being discharged from a New York City hospital, engaged in a dynamic recovery model.
Social worker John Beard engaged the group to help him with the renovation of a building as a part of their recovery process. As the program developed, the work and needs continued to evolve. All the tasks became opportunities that provided the group with a sense of purpose and meaning in their everyday lives. This group became the first members of an entity which later became known as a Clubhouse.
This recovery model for mental illness supported members to take charge of their own lives, help themselves by helping the Clubhouse, and join staff side-by-side to run the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse model has since become an internationally accredited psychosocial rehabilitation method. In this dynamic working relationship, members felt they were truly wanted, needed, and expected by their community.
To learn more, please visit the Clubhouse International website.
Clubhouse Canada
Clubhouse Canada is dedicated to the recovery of people living with mental illness. We promote, assist and strengthen Clubhouse development across Canada, in accordance with the philosophy and standards of Clubhouse International.
MANDATE
To promote the Clubhouse International approach to recovery
To support the development of new Clubhouses
To support the enhancement of existing Clubhouses
To facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, and promotion of best practices within the Clubhouse Canada network
VISION
To ensure Clubhouses across Canada are accessible to everyone living with mental illness so that they can achieve their potential and are respected co-workers, neighbours, and friends in their communities.
To learn more, please visit the Clubhouse Canada website.
Clubhouse Standards
Clubhouse Standards define the internationally accredited recovery model. The principles expressed in these standards are at the heart of the community’s success. They also act as a “bill of rights” to members and ensure that the Clubhouse is a place which offers respect and opportunities for everyone.
Principles of the Standards include:
MEMBERSHIP
Ensures members their participation is fully voluntary and they can access all the opportunities available to them at Progress Place
SPACE
Emphasizes the importance of creating a dignified and respectful environment
WORK-ORDERED DAY
Describes the structure of the day-to-day activities within Progress Place with members and staff working side-by-side, organized to help members develop self-esteem, confidence and friendships, which make up the foundation of the recovery model
EMPLOYMENT
Ensures that Progress Place offers members organized and effective strategies for moving into and maintaining meaningful employment
FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE
Addresses the basic requirements for meeting members’ needs, such as community support, housing, and social recreation
FUNDING, GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Describes requirements for overseeing and managing the Clubhouse
Please click here to download a PDF (English version) of the Clubhouse Standards. For more languages please check out the Clubhouse International here.
Comprehensive Clubhouse Training
With new Clubhouses appearing on virtually every continent, it became clear that the Clubhouse community needed a formal Clubhouse accreditation process, accredited Clubhouse Training Centres, and an international organization of Clubhouses to be responsible for managing it all. Clubhouse International (formerly the International Centre for Clubhouse Development) was created in 1994 to meet these needs.
Progress Place is proud to be one of 12 international Clubhouse Training Centres currently serving over 380 Clubhouses worldwide in 33 countries. Clubhouse training brings staff and people with real-life experience of mental illness together in a full-immersion program to learn all aspects of Clubhouse operations.
INTERESTED IN CLUBHOUSE TRAINING?
Our next Comprehensive Clubhouse Training will take place from October 26 – November 8, 2025.
Please note: This session is currently fully booked.
We are now accepting bookings for our upcoming training sessions:
· April 19 – May 1, 2026
· October 25 – November 6, 2026
Please contact Dimitra Garbis at (416) 323-0223 or dgarbis@progressplace.org for more information.
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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.