The Key Clubhouse of South Florida and Supportive Housing at Northside Commons

Since 2010, The Key Clubhouse of South Florida has offered a program focused on rehabilitation and employment for adults living with serious and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The Key Clubhouse follows the evidence-based Clubhouse International program model, which provides a non-clinical membership program focused on meaningful work, socialization, acquisition of pre-employment skills, and employment opportunities. Individuals who participate in the Key Clubhouse program (called "members") experience reduced hospitalization and improved well-being. Membership in The Key Clubhouse is free and voluntary.

The Clubhouse moved to a new larger location in July 2021 at Northside Commons, a new supportive housing complex built by Carrfour Supportive Housing primarily for adults living with mental illness. Northside Commons will be the first project in the state that combines supportive housing with Clubhouse services for people with serious mental illness in the same building. The new clubhouse features a restaurant-quality kitchen for members to learn culinary skills, a video production center, Business and Communications Units, and an employment center. Members work side-by-side with trained staff in a collegial environment. It is hoped that this model will be replicable in other parts of the state and nation.

The mission of The Key Clubhouse is to afford people who have been disrupted by mental illness the opportunity to recover meaningful and productive lives through reintegration in the workplace and the community.

As of July 2021, The Key Clubhouse has served more than 650 people since 2010. Through partnerships with local employers, including Crowne Plaza Hotel, Panera Bread, and CareerSource South Florida, they have a vibrant employment program with two levels of supported employment for their members.

Their partnership with Carrfour Supportive Housing and the creation of Northside Commons, where 45 of their members are able to live in subsidized apartments, represents an innovative approach to solving the desperate housing issue for low-income people with mental illness. The complex also includes 16 units for homeless individuals referred by the Homeless Trust.

There is an overall positive impact of clubhouse participation on their members, who report increased levels of self-confidence, reduced hospitalizations, better relationships with others, and better quality of life.