Fountain House

Regarding a historic building unrelated to the self-help movement, see: The Fountain House (Doylestown, PA)

Fountain House is a professional self-help program, operated by men and women recovering from mental illness in collaboration with a professional staff. The program was first established in New York City in 1948, and there are now around 400 centers internationally.

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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 also take part in promoting their rights, and in erasing the stigma that often separates them from their neighbors.

The 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. The original Fountain House is located on 47th Street in New York City.

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.

In 2005, it was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

References

• http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/nyregion/06donate.html?ex=1278302400&en=93a1beabd4ede5b8&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
• http://carnegie.org/sub/news/anon2005.html