Kristina and Melissa are part of an initiative to convert Peer Place into an accredited Clubhouse. They have already become affiliated with Clubhouse International, and we are excited to welcome them as our newest colleagues of the Florida Clubhouse Coalition. Their visit provided a broad orientation that we hope will serve as a foundation for Clubhouse International’s more rigorous three-week colleague training. They immersed in all of our teams, visited a Transitional Employment site, meeting member Rebecca Wolfson and seeing her in action. They met individually with some members to learn about their experiences in the Clubhouse and on their jobs. We shared the 37 International Standards for Clubhouse Programs to add context for why we do what we do. Both women shared that they were “overwhelmed in a good way” by all that they learned. Of course, knowledge was not the only excess. It is likely no coincidence that their visit coincided with our legendary breakfast buffet!

When Kristina and Melissa left us this morning, they were all smiles and virtual hugs. No longer visitors, they are now part of our Clubhouse family. While their heads may be spinning with information overload, we hope that they felt the warmth of our culture. Underneath the steady current of our busy days, there is a beating heart that is the true defining character of the Academy. We wish them success in building toward their own vision of empathic recovery.

Members and staff from the Academy were instrumental in Conference preparation as well as workshops. Our Arts & Communications Team provided lanyards, printed nametags and programs for the event. The new FCC logo was also designed by the Academy. At the Conference, John Robinson and Garrett Laue of our Multimedia Team, unveiled the new FCC website, designed and managed at the Academy. William McKeever and Rima Ghalieh discussed recent achievements and future advocacy efforts in Tallahassee.

The Academy is one of seven accredited mental health Clubhouse programs in Florida, with five additional Clubhouse programs on the track to accreditation. The vision of the FCC is to establish an accredited Clubhouse program in every one of Florida’s 67 counties!