Res No.
Resolution declaring the first full week in May "Clubhouse Awareness Week" in the City of New York in alignment with Clubhouse International’s U.S. Clubhouse Week of Action
By Council Members Cabán and Hanif
Whereas, Clubhouses are nonclinical, community-based locations designed to support people living with serious mental illness (“SMI”) by providing an environment where people can learn new skills, build dignity, and develop a sense of belonging; and
Whereas, the Clubhouse model was established in the 1940s at Rockland State Hospital in Orangeburg, New York, as a psychiatric patient-led support group; and
Whereas, Once discharged, these patients formed a self-help group, We Are Not Alone (“WANA”), to continue offering each other support and a place to socialize; and
Whereas, WANA members also visited with patients in Rockland State Hospital to offer practical assistance and to invite soon-to-be discharged patients to join WANA and gain friendships and a trusted social circle; and
Whereas, The WANA group founded Fountain House, the first Clubhouse location, in 1948 in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City (“NYC” or “City”); and
Whereas, In 1955, social worker John Beard arrived at Fountain House and helped formalize the Clubhouse model which emphasized the importance of mutually supportive relationships to combat social isolation and promote recovery; and
Whereas, In 1994, Clubhouse International was founded to expand the Clubhouse model internationally and today there are over 300 Clubhouses worldwide across 30 U.S. States and 30 countries, including Australia, Argentina, The People’s Republic of China, France, Ghana, Gibraltar, Italy, Israel, the Republic of Kosovo, the Netherlands, Norway, Uganda, and South Africa; and
Whereas, Clubhouses are organized around the work-ordered day, a structured approach where staff and members are coordinated into work units and work together to operate the Clubhouse; and
Whereas, Work units may include clerical duties, managing the kitchen, producing in-house newsletters and managing social media, or assisting with employment and education services for other members; and
Whereas, Research has shown that this structured work-ordered day model, paired with the opportunities to socialize and build community, results in longer job tenure, reduced hospitalizations, fewer incarcerations, and better physical and mental health; and
Whereas, Clubhouses also deliver substantial cost savings, as one year of Clubhouse services has been estimated to cost the equivalent of a two-week psychiatric hospital stay and half the cost of other mental health models, such as community mental health centers; and
Whereas, There are 13 clubhouses in New York City currently, and 40% of members have been enrolled for over 5 years; and
Whereas, In Fiscal Year 2025, there were over 3,600 clubhouse members, and the City projects that this membership is due to almost double by 2027, but this is only a fraction of the over 250,000 New Yorkers currently estimated to be living with SMI who could benefit from Clubhouse membership; and
Whereas, Clubhouses are a proven model for support and recovery and deserve to be recognized and celebrated by the City where they were founded; now, therefore, be it,
Resolved that the Council of The City of New York declares the first full week in May "Clubhouse Awareness Week" in the City of New York in alignment with Clubhouse International’s U.S. Clubhouse Week of Action.
LS# 26490
10/16/2026
PR