Clubhouse SC News

August 2026 Issue

Welcome to the relaunch of the Clubhouse South Carolina Newsletter. Each month, we'll share stories, updates, resources, and opportunities that strengthen South Carolina's growing Clubhouse network while highlighting the impact of the evidence-based Clubhouse Model. In this issue, we will cover who Clubhouse South Carolina is.

THE CLUBHOUSE SC MISSION

Clubhouse South Carolina (CSC) is the local, professional organization of Clubhouse International, consisting of Clubhouse staff, Clubhouse members, and Start-up Clubhouse leaders, who are dedicated to the promotion, development, strengthening, and sustainability of Accredited Clubhouses throughout South Carolina.

Clubhouse International is the only global mental health nonprofit that expands and enhances recovery opportunities for people living with mental illness by integrating the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation into community-based health systems worldwide.

The Clubhouse Model is an evidence- based method that complements available psychiatric recovery from mental illness, and addresses social and economic factors as part of a comprehensive approach toward cost-effective and sustainable solutions for mental illness. To learn more about the Clubhouse Model, visit: https://clubhouse-intl.org/

Updates

Building a Healthier South Carolina—Together

Clubhouse South Carolina is proud to partner with the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina through the South Carolina Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). This partnership recognizes that improving mental health requires more than clinical care alone. It requires collaboration across systems and communities to address the conditions that shape health—including housing, transportation, education, employment, access to care, social connection, opportunities for skill development and reintegration. Together, we are helping elevate the role of community-based, recovery-oriented supports like Clubhouses as part of a stronger statewide approach to mental health and whole-person health. When we collaborate across sectors, we can move beyond treating symptoms to creating healthier systems, stronger communities, and better opportunities for every South Carolinian.

LET'S TALK IMPACT: WHAT WE DO

How does the Clubhouse Model Work?

The Clubhouse Model complements clinical treatment by addressing the social, educational, and economic factors essential to long-term recovery. Members and staff work side by side in a Work-Ordered Day, creating opportunities to build skills, develop confidence, form meaningful relationships, and access employment, education, housing support, and wellness resources.

Why does the Clubhouse Model Work:

The International Standards for Clubhouse Programs ™

define the evidence-based practices that guide every Accredited Clubhouse worldwide ensuring the quality and consistency, and serve as the foundation for Clubhouse International Accreditation™. Of these 37 standards, standard 2o is featured below and captures the essence of the Clubhouse Model by recognizing members not as recipients of services, but as essential partners in building and leading their community.

AFFILIATE UPDATES

Affiliates are Clubhouses in any stage of development who are a part of Clubhouse South Carolina and dedicated to quality assurance through Clubhouse International Accreditation.

Gateway Clubhouse (Accredited)

Updates:

Gateway House continued to expand its impact across the Upstate through advocacy, community engagement, and fundraising this spring. Members Patricia and Chimere shared their lived experiences during statewide housing listening sessions with legislators and community stakeholders in Sumter and Greenville, helping elevate the voices of individuals living with serious mental illness in conversations about housing. Gateway also brought the community together through its annual Mahjong Fundraiser, a fundraising partnership with Grateful Brew, and participation in NAMIWalks Greenville, raising awareness and support for mental health recovery and the Clubhouse Model.

Upcoming Events:

Beautiful Music for Beautiful Minds- September 10th

Stay up-to-date by visiting their website.

Our Place of Hope (Member of Clubhouse International)

Updates:

Our Place of Hope continues to expand its impact across the Midlands, with membership doubling over the past two months while strengthening community partnerships through monthly meetings with local mental health providers to increase awareness, collaboration, and referrals. As the Clubhouse advances its self-study process in preparation for future accreditation, Executive Director Ellen Hucks, has also been invited to speak at Fort Jackson, Lexington Medical Center, and a Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF) focus group, helping bring greater visibility to the Clubhouse Model and recovery-oriented mental health care.

Upcoming Events:

Luncheon this October- date TBD

Stay up-to-date by visiting their website.

AOP Clubhouse

AOP Clubhouse continues to build momentum across Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties as community partners work together to advance the development of a new Clubhouse. With a focus on improving rural access to community-based mental health support, reducing substance use, and supporting suicide prevention across the tri-county region, planning is underway to create a sustainable resource that brings meaningful work, relationships, purpose, and community closer to home for individuals living with mental illness in the Upstate. Learn more on how to engage and support the development of the AOP Clubhouse on their website.

Greater Charleston Clubhouse

Greater Charleston Clubhouse is continuing to build momentum across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties through growing community collaboration and regional planning. Partners are working together to lay the foundation for a sustainable Clubhouse that will expand access to meaningful work, relationships, purpose, and community for individuals living with mental illness across the Lowcountry.

Laurens Clubhouse

Laurens Clubhouse is continuing to build momentum through community collaboration, leadership engagement, and preparation for National Clubhouse Development (NCD) training. As a rural community working to address gaps in mental health access and broader health outcomes, local partners are laying the foundation for a sustainable Clubhouse that will bring community-based support closer to home while expanding opportunities for meaningful work, relationships, purpose, and community for individuals living with mental illness in Laurens County.

Missing your community?

We are so proud of our affiliates and the work they do across the state. Want to visit one of our Affiliates or to be involved in our expansion work statewide? Contact us at info@clubhousesc.org.

MEMBER MOMENT

PARTNERS

Strong partnerships are essential to expanding awareness of the Clubhouse Model and preparing the next generation of mental health leaders. This past summer, Clubhouse South Carolina has fostered new partnerships across the state. This month, we want to highlight 2 exciting University partnerships with Furman University and Clemson University. Find out more about creating a partnership with us in the Get Involved section of this newsletter.

Furman and Clemson Univeristies

Clubhouse South Carolina is proud to partner with
Clemson and Furman Universities to help educate and inspire the next generation of behavioral health leaders. Together, we're exploring opportunities for curriculum development, student internships, research, and service-learning centered around the evidence-based Clubhouse Model. We're grateful to the faculty who join us as we continue building a stronger future for mental health in South Carolina.

Photo:Left to right: Dr. Kelsey Hample, Chair of Poverty Studies and Associate Professor of Economics; Andy Coe, Associate Director, Career Exploration and Human Services and Non-Profit Careers; Casey Edmonds, Executive Director of Clubhouse South Carolina

Dr. Brianna Pocratsky, Senior Lecturer in the Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Department at Clemson University shares,

"Interdisciplinary and holistic approaches are required to better address enduring challenges in society and contribute to the public good. The Clubhouse Model is highly effective in doing so by fostering social connections and support systems, offering skill-building and educational programs, providing housing support and employment programs, and facilitating collective decision-making. Every community would benefit from a clubhouse."

Photo: Left to Right: Dr. Brianna Pocratsky, Senior Lecturer in the Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Department at Clemson University; Casey Edmonds, Executive Director of Clubhouse South Carolina; Jason R. Thrift, Assistant Professor at the Clemson University School of Nursing