Isabela Zabava
A PLACE TO BE YOURSELF:
Matt’s Story
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Matt enjoys some time outside with other members of the Coast Mental Health Clubhouse
or many people living with mental illness, the way they first connect with mental health services is walking in the door of Coast Mental Health’s drop-in Clubhouse. “I found out about Coast’s Clubhouse through my case worker,” remembers Matt. “Right away, I loved it.” Located in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, the Clubhouse offers hot meals, laundry facilities, social opportunities, and crucially—a chance to talk to an outreach worker. That’s the first step in connecting vulnerable residents of downtown Vancouver to Coast Mental Health’s housing, support services, education, and employment programming. Matt’s positive attitude
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and openness to trying new things led him to take all kinds of classes at the Clubhouse, and to discover new strengths.
Photos: Amy Romer
for my next shift. But it was good, too, because I got to know everybody in the Clubhouse.”
Matt’s positive attitude and openness to trying new things led him to take all kinds of classes at the Clubhouse, and to discover new strengths.
Coast’s employment programming helps young people like Matt build work experience at the Clubhouse, and apply to work in the community through the supportive Transitional Employment Program. Step by step, the programs reduce barriers to employment while helping clients build new skills and eventually offering them the dignity of a job.
He started working at the Clubhouse, too. “I started in janitorial work,” he explains. “I worked 2 to 3 days a week cleaning the Clubhouse and the office side as well. I really enjoyed it. Then they asked me if I wanted to do street cleaning so I did both at the same time—janitorial work and street cleaning! That was harder because I went to the Clubhouse during the day and waited 3 or 4 hours
The Coast Clubhouse creates a sense of community through group sessions including music and singalongs.
BC Notaries Association
Volume 29 Number 3 Fall 2020
Kim Bellavance Photographer (www.kimbellavance.com)
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