A PROGRAM AND A PLACE
Fountain House is a professional self-help program, operated by men and women recovering from mental illness, in collaboration with a highly professional and caring staff. The emphasis at Fountain House is on relationships – member to member, and member to staff. Members engage with each other to regain their productivity and self-confidence, resume their lives, and re-enter society. They take part, as well, in promoting their rights, and in erasing the stigma that often separates them from their neighbors.
Since its founding in 1948, Fountain House has served a total of more than 16,000 men and women. Its innovative “clubhouse” model is today the basis for more than 400 similar programs in 32 countries around the world, assisting some 50,000 men and women. The Fountain House concept has been adopted in part by another 1,000 programs in the U.S. and abroad.
Fountain House is also a building — home base for the organization’s activities. A five-story mansion-like complex, it encompasses some 57,000 square feet, including four outdoor gardens. The building has been updated from time to time to meet the changing needs of Fountain House members and staff as they create and operate Fountain House’s diverse programs, administer the organization, tend to their lives, work and study, dine and relax, and make friends.
THE WORK
Fountain House’s programs and partnerships originate in its units. Each unit is “home base” for a number of members and staff, who work together to develop and operate a particular activity. In each unit, as well, staff members provide community support for members, to ensure that they receive the benefits and services they need, from both Fountain House and beyond.
Members volunteer their work, to make Fountain House work. Together, members and staff are able to derive a sense of accomplishment, build skills, and establish relationships, helping everyone to know that they are needed and appreciated.
