Club Nova Community Incorporated is a psychosocial rehabilitation center in Carrboro, NC that provides opportunities for individuals with mental illness to lead meaningful lives of their choice in the community.
Club Nova was founded in 1987 to address the needs of Orange County citizens living with mental illness. As such, we provide a holistic, caring environment designed to promote rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. Our community focuses on members’ strengths and potential rather than their illness, creating a space that is welcoming, encouraging, and enriching.
Club Nova works within a network of approximately 400 clubhouses worldwide, following the Clubhouse Model pioneered by Fountain House in New York City. We follow 37 standards set by the worldwide clubhouse community, which dictate how we operate within our clubhouse. Members are also guaranteed four rights under the clubhouse model: the right to a place to come, the right to meaningful work, the right to meaningful relationships, and the right to a place to return. We offer countless opportunities which include a place to come at least 6 days a week, 13 affordable meals each week, socials to build relationships with each other and the larger community, housing assistance, guidance for continued education, and a space to celebrate on all major holidays.
Relationships are the cornerstone of our organization, and we believe the relationships we build are the essence of the recovery process. By working alongside of each other in the work-ordered day, gathering for holidays together, and socializing with each other regularly, we have the unique opportunity to foster meaningful and sustainable relationships. With strong relationships, we can establish trust, respect, and dignity with each of our members. Club Nova offers a space that is safe and where members know they are wanted and needed.
Membership at Club Nova is lifelong and voluntary; we meet members where they are. No matter how long our members have been absent, our doors are always open to welcome them. Our members are not required to be here, but rather, choose when and how long they want to participate in the clubhouse community.
We offer meaningful work for members through opportunities in the work-ordered day in one of our many units, which includes the administration, culinary, thrift shop, and membership unit. Members and staff work side by side and make decisions based on consensus within the units. We also work within the employment unit to cultivate a relationship with the larger business community through transitional, supported, and independent employment opportunities for and with our members.
Club Nova provides a place to come for a sense of belonging, acceptance, friendship, and opportunities, and we hope to continue to be that place for many more members and for many more years to come.