Shore House Saves Lives
A working community is at the heart of our model. By working together, eliminating loneliness and social isolation, members regain confidence, make friends, learn new skills, and make progress towards achieving their employment and educational goals. This opportunity to be a part of a successful working community is restorative and builds dignity and self-esteem.
The emergence of Clubhouses around the world demonstrates that people with mental illness can successfully participate in society through education, employment and other social activities. The personal stories of members and their families and an increasing body of research provide evidence that Clubhouses provide a holistic, inspiring and cost-effective solution for people living with mental illness.
At Shore House, we believe that meaningful work is restorative. Staff and members work in partnership to execute all aspects of Clubhouse operations. We also provide educational and employment opportunities.
Shore House recognizes that members arrive at various points in their lives and recovery. One member may come to Shore House every day and be involved in many activities, while another may come and get help with employment. Each member determines his or her own level of participation.
The Clubhouse Model
Shore House is a Clubhouse, accredited by Clubhouse International, meaning we follow the International Standards for Clubhouse Programs, aka the “Clubhouse Model”. The Clubhouse Model is a community and evidenced-based approach to the treatment of serious mental illnesses.
The Clubhouse Model complements available psychiatric and medical treatments but focuses less on the clinical side of mental illness, and more on relationships and skill building as critical vehicles for rehabilitation.
The Work-Ordered Day
The Foundation of the Clubhouse Model
Our Clubhouse operates as a community where each day models a traditional workday. Members work side-by-side with Shore House staff to complete daily activities like preparing lunches, producing a monthly newsletter, maintaining the Clubhouse, and assuming responsibility for attendance, billing and statistical information. Members have the opportunity to learn the needs of the Clubhouse to use their skills and abilities.
By participating in the Work-Ordered Day, a sense of structure and purpose is restored in member’s lives. This sense of purpose is crucial and it’s what makes the Work-Ordered Day the operational foundation of the Clubhouse Model.
Once members have fully immersed themselves in the Work-Ordered Day and are motivated with their newfound confidence, they are in a great place to start participating in the many other opportunities that Shore House has to offer.
Other Opportunities for Members
Basic Components of the Clubhouse Model
Mental illness can be a barrier to getting or keeping a job. But it is possible for people with mental illness to live productive and fulfilling lives that include meaningful careers! Once members express a desire to go to work, Shore House can help them secure transitional and eventually independent employment.
Clubhouses offer a unique support for members to bridge the employment gap. Through Transitional Employment Placements (TEP), Shore House partners with various businesses who are seeking dedicated, committed, hard-working employees.
Our TEP partners commit one or more existing entry-level positions for Shore House Members — they are real, paid job opportunities designed to help members return to work. TEP placements are part-time (15-20 hours per week) and typically last from six to nine months. During a placement, members receive consistent support from Shore House staff.
Shore House helps members through their education process in the following ways:
- Guidance in determining educational goals
School/training selection (Literacy, ESL, GED, Certificate, vocational programs, Degree programs) - Assistance with school application process
- Assistance with financial aid, grant and scholarship application process
- On-going support on-campus and in the community while enrolle
- Periodic Student Celebrations
Shore House wellness programs incorporate the “Pillars of Wellness”. Activities include: wellness walks, gardening, creative writing classes, and learning how to prepare nutritious meals.
The 5 Pillars of Wellness
Outside Employment Programs
Our goal with the Employment Program is to increase Clubhouse members’ financial security, independence, and confidence. We do this by providing opportunities to return to paid employment in integrated work settings through Transitional, Supported, and Independent Employment.
Shore House assists members who are interested in Transitional, Supported, and Independent Employment. On-site and off-site training and skill development are provided through member and staff partnerships. Shore House develops and maintains relationships with some of the best businesses and industries in the local area and wages are competitive.
Mental illness can be a barrier to getting or keeping a job. But it is possible for people with mental illness to live productive and fulfilling lives that include meaningful careers! Once members express a desire to go to work, Shore House can help them secure transitional and eventually independent employment. Clubhouses offer a unique support for members to bridge the employment gap.
Transitional Employment Program
A Transitional Employment job is part time employment in a local business, usually 6-9 months in duration. In TEP, the clubhouse develops and maintains a relationship with the employer and provides onsite training and support with backup coverage during periods of member absence. Shore House staff provides training, support, and absentee coverage on all positions.
- Through Transitional Employment Placements (TEP), Shore House partners with various businesses in Long Branch who are seeking dedicated, committed, hard-working employees.
- Our TEP partners commit a entry-level positions for Shore House Members — they are real, paid job opportunities designed to help members return to work.
- TEP placements are part-time (15-20 hours per week) and typically last from six to nine months. During a placement, members receive consistent support from Shore House staff.
Supported Employment Program
Supported Employment positions are not time limited and may be full or part-time. There may be a competitive element to the interview process. In SE, the clubhouse maintains a relationship with the employer and member, assisting with job site development and training. The clubhouse does not provide absence coverage.
Independent Employment Program
Independent Employment positions are generally secured by the member. Employment supports are as frequent as the member chooses and are provided at the Clubhouse. Members decide if they wish to disclose their relationship with the Clubhouse to the employer. Independent Employment can be full or part-time.
Education Programs
Some of our members have not finished high school, while others have had to curtail their university studies. Shore House makes it possible for everyone who has the desire to learn to return to or advance their studies, regardless of their previous education, illness, or particular disability.
If education is part of a member’s goals, Shore House can help through the process. We can point our members in the right direction for all types of education: GEDs, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, culinary training, and more. We can also help facilitate conversations about financial aid opportunities.
Our goal is to support members in their individual education goals. These supports include:
- Guidance in determining educational goals
- School/training selection(Literacy, ESL, GED, Certificate, vocational programs, Degree programs)
Assistance with school application process - Assistance with financial aid, grant and scholarship application process
- On-going support on-campus and in the community while enrolled
- Periodic Student Celebrations
Health & Wellness Programs
Adults living with a mental illness have a 25 year shorter lifespan than their peers due to preventable treatable comorbidity factors. Thanks to the generosity of the New Jersey Road Runners Youth Foundation, Shore House members have access to an onsite gym. Nutrition and cooking classes are also offered to help educate members on how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Shore House Program Benefits
Shore House has 10 years’ experience providing recovery support and community-based services for adults with persistent mental illnesses. The program is specifically designed around the pillars of community, work/educational opportunities and relationship building in order to:
Improve mental and physical health through wellness education and support: 100% of SH members report an increased sense of well-being
Sources: 1 Macias, Kinney and Rodican (1995). 2 McKay, Yates, and Johnsen (2005); IPS model reported by Clark et al (1998); ACT model reported by Macias et al (2001). 3 De Masso, Avi-Itzak and Obler (2001). 4 Johnson and Hickey (1999). 5 Warner, Huxley and Berg (1999). 6 Leff and colleagues (2004).