Club Nova Community Inc. was founded in 1987 to address the needs of Orange and surrounding counties’ citizens living with mental illness, providing a holistic, caring environment designed to promote rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. The Four Guaranteed Rights our members have are: the right to a place to come, the right to meaningful work, the right to meaningful relationships, and the right for a place to return. Once a member always a member.
The Clubhouse model was originally developed by Fountain House in New York City in 1947. There are now 325 Clubhouses in 28 countries around the world. We are a person-centered model where our diagnoses are left at the door and anything is possible. To live meaningful lives, we must each have some place that accepts us — where we are needed. We focus on a member’s strengths, and participation is by choice according to a member’s interests.
Members have access to assistance with housing, psychiatric and medical care, continuing education goals, obtaining earned benefits, social activities, participating in the community, reducing isolation, recognizing signs of relapse when needed, and finding additional supports as needed.
In the past and present, our Johnson Service Corps (JSC) colleagues have worked in the culinary unit side-by-side with our members. Club Nova is a natural fit for JSC by reflecting their core values (Compassion, Co-Creation, Collaboration, Character, and Communion) in our model and the way our relationships are structured. We have a linear structure, not a hierarchy, giving all voices a chance to be heard. Our work order day includes everyone coming to mutual decision-making about the goals and needs for the clubhouse. Working toward these common goals develops meaningful relationships that are the essence of recovery and Club Nova community.
