About Progress Place Mental Wellness Centre

Who We Are

Progress Place is dedicated to improving the lives of people living with mental illness.

For more than 40 years, Progress Place has provided community-based, wrap-around services designed to support the recovery of people living with mental illness, with no waitlists. Individuals living with mental health challenges determine their path to recovery through our Clubhouse program’s supported education, employment, housing, and recreation programs and services, all while being a part of Progress Place’s inclusive, respectful and engaging community.

Progress Place is grounded in the internationally recognized Clubhouse Model. Through this model, clients (called members), contribute to the Clubhouse’s daily activities while learning new skills, and utilizing their strengths which helps rebuild confidence and self-esteem. Research has proven the Clubhouse Model’s effectiveness in helping people find their own path to mental health recovery, while reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

In addition to Progress Place’s core Clubhouse program, we are committed to supporting mental health recovery across all generations.  We offer innovative, diverse and recovery-centered programs for people of all ages including the Seniors Program in St. James Town, the Community Place Hub Health Access and Drop-In programs in Weston Mount Dennis, and Peer Support Programs such as the Warm Line Peer-Support Line. Our intergenerational programs provide safe and welcoming spaces where members develop meaningful connections, a sense of belonging and mutual support while working in partnership, growing and learning from each other.

OUR MISSION

Progress Place is dedicated to improving the lives of people living with mental illness. We offer programs and services, which provide opportunities for recovery through friendship, employment, education, housing and recreation in a welcoming and accessible environment of support, respect and dignity.

OUR VISION

Progress Place’s vision is that all people living with mental illness have the opportunity for full recovery.

Two young men sitting at a table, laughing and smiling in a casual meetup or meeting environment.

Impact of the Clubhouse Model

There is no definitive path to recovery for people living with a mental illness. At the heart of Progress Place’s recovery model is the facilitation of an inclusive, respectful and engaging community. Members and staff work side-by-side to create an environment conducive to the health and wellness of people living with a mental illness. This model helps individuals find their own unique path to recovery, and work through that path at their own pace.

We are Partners in Recovery for all individuals living with a mental illness.

Silhouette of a head with a speech bubble, representing thinking or communication.

The Clubhouse Improves the Health of People Living With a Mental Illness

Progress Place’s recovery model enhances mental and physical health by creating a community that fosters a sense of belonging, unconditional acceptance, dignity and self-worth, and independence as reported by members of Progress Place.

Illustration of three overlapping dollar bills in green.

We Save Our Canadian Healthcare System Money

After 1 year engaging in Progress Place’s recovery model, members’ hospitalization rates drop by 85%.

Three orange stick-figure people with smiling faces, two in the background and one in the foreground.

We Help Shatter the Stigma

Members enrolled in programs similar to Progress Place’s recovery model have been shown to be more significantly more likely to report that they had close friendships and someone they could rely on when they needed help.

Blue walking figure icon carrying a briefcase

We Improve the Employment Status of People Living With a Mental Illness

Progress Place members have been employed at over 40 companies throughout Ontario over the past 40+ years and reported greater quality of life, self-esteem, sense of purpose and increased income.

Our History

Our story began in the early 1980s during de-institutionalization, a policy aimed at reintegrating people with mental illness into the community but often leaving them isolated, without housing or support. In response, we launched Canada’s first clubhouse-model program in 1984, offering a new approach based on dignity, inclusion, and opportunity.

Progress Place is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in psychosocial rehabilitation, driving innovation and setting the standard for recovery-focused care. Through pioneering, high-impact initiatives, Progress Place continues to be instrumental in leading the clubhouse recovery model and empowering individuals on their path to mental health recovery..

Through the years…

  • Opens as part-time drop-in centre in North York and one of Ontario's first community mental health programs, in response to the closure of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital.

  • 1981
    Moves to a more accessible location in North York. Expands to a full-time social recreation program.

    1982
    Adopts Clubhouse Approach to psychosocial rehabilitation - one of the most successful approaches in community mental health.

    1983
    Launches a supported housing program, in addition to a transitional employment program.

    1984
    Becomes a full-fledged Clubhouse recognized by Clubhouse International, and incorporates as a non-profit organization.

    1986
    Becomes an Accredited International Training Base in the Clubhouse approach through Clubhouse International.

    1988
    Moves to current downtown location at 576 Church Street, expanding reach and accessibility for Progress Place’s membership.

  • 1995
    Launches the Warm Line, a peer support telephone line for people who are lonely and isolated in the community.

    1999
    Launches the Double Recovery program for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse. In the same year launches the Homeless Housing and Support Initiative, providing supportive housing for individuals with backgrounds of mental illness and homelessness.

  • 2006
    Receives a capital grant from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to renovate and make Progress Place's building fully accessible.

    2008
    Launches a diabetes education program in partnership with Regent Park Community Health Centre, providing individual and group education, and health workshops for members of Progress Place.

    Becomes founding member and Chair of Clubhouse Canada, a coalition of clubhouses across the country.

  • 2011
    Enhances Health and Wellness Program with a fitness component where members have the opportunity for involvement in group fitness and sports activities.

    2012
    Launches St. James Town Mental Health Day Program to support seniors (55+) living with mental health or complex health issues. Program offered in collaboration with Fred Victor, Hospice Toronto, Dixon Hall and Toronto Public Health.

    2014
    Receives Pioneer Recovery Award for Excellence from Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada.

    Develops Weston Mount Dennis Service Provider Network collaborating with community health service providers in the Weston and Mount Dennis communities to offer barrier-free accessibility to services in the community.

    2015
    Launches the Weston Mount Dennis Community Place, a health access hub in collaboration with the Weston Mount Dennis Service Providers Network.

    2016
    Graffiti Wall Project engages Progress Place’s Young Adult Program to enhance young adult space.

    2017
    Develops Mental Health Awareness Training and offers training for businesses and organizations.

    Research study in International Journal of Mental Health recognizes Progress Place’s positive impact.

    2018
    Excellence through Quality Improvement Program provides tools to enhance programs and processes.

    Research study in BMC Health Services Journal validates Clubhouse Model approach to recovery.

    2019
    Progress Place celebrates 35th Anniversary and founding director, Brenda Singer, receiving the Order of Canada.

  • 2020
    Progress Place rapidly responds to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to provide critical supports and programs. Healthy meals continue to be prepared and provided for pick up or delivery; programs, activities and support are offered daily via Zoom; and the Warm Line’s hours are extended.

    Hosts 1st Virtual Clubhouse Canada Conference connecting more than 325 members and staff, representing 20 clubhouses across the country and from as far away as Asia.

    2021
    Achieves the highest level of accreditation, a three-year accreditation renewal, from Clubhouse International.

    Launches Back To Home supportive housing program, providing 24 furnished, subsidized housing units and intensive support to assist vulnerable individuals to access and maintain housing, reducing hospital emergency visits and alternative level of care.

    Progress Place extends Warm Line hours and launches pilot partnership with Wellness Together Canada making the service toll free from coast to coast.

    Board launches three-year Strategic Plan building on Progress Place’s long history of delivering effective programs and services to expand our reach and continue to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the communities we serve.

    2022

    Launches Indoor Vertical Garden through the support of Jo Malone London.  Fresh herbs and vegetables are grown indoors, supporting the health and wellness of members in addition to contributing to food security initiatives.

    2023

    Community Place Hub launched Health Access, Peer Navigator and Drop-In programs to better serve the northwest part of the city.

    2024

    Progress Place celebrates ​40th anniversary.

A Few Words From Members

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a blue shawl with dolphin and starfish patterns over a striped shirt, sitting on a black leather chair with a white background.

“Our community here at Progress Place is an enjoyable place for me. Staff are nice and the clubhouse environment is warm. The community at Progress Place makes me feel welcome and comfortable. I love attending the clubhouse to obtain supports or to brighten my day!” - Nigesti

A smiling man with gray hair and a black t-shirt, facing the camera against a white background.

“Progress Place has changed my life. By coming here, I get a chance to develop my skills and share the ones that I have. I also get to be around people. Without Progress Place, I would be isolating at home. Now, I am part of a community that I can work with. Working and socializing at Progress Place is the best part of my day. I hope to use the Clubhouse as a stepping stone to get a job in my field.“ - Robin

A young man wearing dark sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt, smiling slightly against a plain white background.

“Our community here at Progress Place gives me a place to help in my recovery. Progress place is a friendly and safe environment. Being here has helped me find meaning in my daily life.“ - Ivan

A smiling young man with short dark hair wearing a gray crewneck shirt against a white background.

“I have been a member of Progress Place for just over a year. In that time, I’ve been able to come out of my shell and do things that I previously did not have the confidence to do. The community here has been absolutely wonderful and has given me a safe and vibrant place to progress at life.“ - Lucas

Senior woman with short blonde hair and glasses, wearing a colorful patterned top, smiling at the camera.

“I have been a member for 9 years. I continue to find purpose in my life and I like to work on tasks here. Having a routine such as the work-ordered day helps me want to do more. I think part of that involves participating on committees and helping around the Clubhouse. This has made me feel like I have an impact on the community here at Progress Place.“ - Susan

A man with a bald head smiling widely and showing teeth, wearing a bright blue T-shirt against a plain white background.

“Progress Place is my home away from home and it feels like a new family for me. Somehow, the people outside don’t really know what I am going through. Progress Place understands me and relates to my problems. Working in the Transitional Employment Program gave me a sense of independence. I felt better because I could get what I needed such as new sneakers and stuff like that.“ - Sammy

Staff

Clubhouse – 576 Church Street

  • Duane Alvares - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Melissa Bosman - Manager of Satellite Programs

    Tiffany Chou - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Rebecca Dunk - Program Support and Records Coordinator

    Dimitra Garbis - Manager of Clubhouse Programs

    Carina Fung - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker/Intake Worker

    Gwyneth Hall - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Criss Habal-Brosek - Executive Director

    Cassandra Huber - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Victoria Iacovelli - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Vaithiga Karunanity - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker (mat leave)

    Andrew Kekewich - Unit Leader

    Joelle Ladouceur - Administration / Accounting / Payroll Coordinator

    Lucy Liu - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Ali McGrath - Unit Leader

    Marina Seliverstova - Manager, Finance and Administration

    Eric Silverton - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Bailee Stoeckle - Unit Leader

    Cindy Thole - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

    Eugene Yeo - Clubhouse Mental Health Worker

Seniors Corner – St James Town (200 Wellesley Street East)

  • Christina Abate - Seniors Program Support Worker

    Vandana Vandana - Seniors Program Support Worker

Double Recovery Programs (Various Locations)

  • Sarah Kimball - Concurrent Disorders Worker

    Margaret Radford - Peer Support Program Coordinator

Housing (Various Locations)

  • Sophie Ayathurai - Housing Support Worker

    Joshua Fernandes - Housing Support Worker

    Sitabile Mlauzi - Housing Support Worker

    Wayne Mulrain - Housing Support Worker

    Sharon Valles - Housing Support Worker

    Sesait Zeweldi - Housing Team Lead

The Community Place Hub – Weston Mount Dennis (1765 Weston Road)

  • Bukola Akingbade - Health Access Navigator

    Lidia Frech - Health Access Navigator

    Kaltuma Haji - Hub Supervisor

    Lise Hellmich- Mental Health Peer Navigator Support Worker

    Jade Nguyen - Digital Media Technician

    Palaash Pavdighada - Health Access Navigator

    Ken Theobald - Hub Outreach Worker

Board

  • Sam Berton - Director

    Criss Habal-Brosek - Ex-Officio

    Howard Huang - Secretary

    Nicole Kozloff - Director

    Zahir Lalani - Director

    Marlene Merriman - Director

    Steven Perley - Director

    David Whyte - Chair

    Debra Wolfe - Vice-Chair

    Richard Worsfold - Treasurer

  • Four people sitting around a table in a recording studio with microphones and headphones, engaging in a podcast or discussion, with colorful graffiti art on the wall and large windows showing trees outside.

    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.

    Learn More
  • A woman shopping in a mail center, reaching for a package on a shelf, smiling, with a shopping cart filled with mail.

    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.

    Learn More
  • Four people smiling at a workshop or class, wearing blue aprons, with plants in the background and an emergency exit sign above.

    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.

    Donate