History
The origins of Fountain House lie in the idea which inspired a small group of people back in the early 1940s – the belief that people with mental illness are capable of helping each other. In a little more than sixty years, that vision has yielded a supportive community that annually helps some 1300 people in New York City and is the inspiration for 55,000 people in Fountain House model programs around the world.
| 1944 |
The first official meeting of WANA (We Are Not Alone) is held at the Third Street YMCA in Manhattan. The meeting grew from a self-help group that started at Rockland State Hospital. It was organized by Michael Obolensky, a former patient, and Elizabeth Schermerhorn, a former volunteer. Ten members and Ms. Schermerhorn were present. |
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| 1948 |
The Fountain House Foundation is incorporated and the Fountain House Fellowship is established. |
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| 1955 |
John Beard, an innovative social worker from Michigan, is named Executive Director. He immediately engages unemployed members in working with him to fix up the building during the daytime. |
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| 1958 |
Initial guidelines for the Employment Placement Project, later known as Transitional Employment, are written; the first placements are secured soon after. Fountain House begins to secure leases for apartments in the community. Board member Hetty Richard personally signs many of these leases. |
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| 1959 |
The National Institute of Mental Health awards Fountain House a grant, for a two-year research study comparing people accepted into its program with people denied Fountain House services. Results of the study show a 30% reduction in re-hospitalization of Fountain House members. |
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| 1962 |
Arnold van Ameringen becomes President of the Board of Directors; shortly thereafter the van Ameringen Foundation donates $300,000 toward the cost of a new building. 425 West 47th Street is purchased and dedicated. The new building is completed in 1965. |
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| 1976 |
Fountain House is awarded a multi-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to establish a national training program to teach the clubhouse model to community based organizations. |
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| 1977 |
High Point Farm, a 500-acre farm in northwestern New Jersey, is willed to Fountain House by Karl Keller, a former treasurer of the board of directors. The Farm allows members the opportunity to work in a rural environment, tending to our gardens and alpacas. |
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| 1981 |
The 1st International Seminar for organizations that want to learn about, or who are already practicing, the Fountain House model is held in Lahore, Pakistan, organized by Dr. M. R. Chaudry. |
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| 1984 |
Fountain House opens the residence at 441 West 47th Street. It is the first HUD-funded mental health residence in the country. |
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| 1985 |
The four brownstones next to Fountain House are renovated and dedicated as the van Ameringen Center. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan attends the dedication. |
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| 1992 |
The Storefront, an off-site office where members can receive psychiatric and primary medical care, opens in partnership with St. Lukes/Roosevelt Medical Center. |
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| 2000 |
Fountain Gallery opens. |
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| 2005 |
Peter B. Lewis donates $3 million to Fountain House for construction of a Wellness Unit. The new Horticulture Unit is dedicated, due in part to a generous contribution from the Slocum family. |
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| 2006 |
The Sydney R. Baer Center for Education is dedicated. |
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| 2008 |
With 1,300 members, Fountain House celebrates its 60th Anniversary. |
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