Involvement in any kind of community often serves as a source of support and comfort, and that is certainly true of Independence Center. The nonprofit strives to offer a safe space for adults dealing with mental illness to connect with others facing similar challenges. Founded in 1981, it uses a Clubhouse model to help members develop the necessary skills to succeed in society and lead productive lives.
Clubhouse is a model of psychosocial rehabilitation that focuses on strengthening an individual’s abilities rather than treating the person as a patient with an illness. Independence Center owns and operates four apartment buildings for its members and provides psychiatric services at Midwest Psychiatry, but its main facility is the Clubhouse, where each member is responsible for helping it operate, according to development specialist Abby Berger. The Clubhouse is structured to mirror the expectations and relationships of a workplace. Members help with a variety of tasks, including preparing meals, giving tours and teaching classes. The goal is to help them realize their capabilities and make them feel needed while also developing skills and providing opportunities for social growth. “We hope that people feel proud of the work they accomplish, and empowered to take the skill set to an employment opportunity,” Berger says.
Independence Center offers its members a variety of services. Its transitional employment program partners with companies to provide entry-level positions for members for six to nine months. This allows them to get employment experience without the stress of an interview process, Berger explains. “The fear of disclosing your mental illness or explaining gaps in your résumé is eliminated,” she says. “It’s a short duration, so it’s great for someone who has never worked or is trying to get back into the workforce.” Independence Center also helps its members find full-time employment and mentors them in interview prep and résumé writing. The holistic program helps them prepare for the HiSET (a high school equivalency test) or a college degree. It also offers budgetary and financial education with the assistance of BMO Harris Bank, and addresses health issues at its Wellness Center in the Clubhouse.
To help make these services possible, Independence Center hosts its annual fundraising gala, Dancing with the Saint Louis Stars. It will be held at The Ritz-Carlton Jan. 27. Berger says the event raised more than $800,000 last year. “There’s an element of entertainment and fun in the performances, but the best thing is to see the community engagement across the board,” she says. “Every dollar we raise helps us reach more people.”
Alongside community leaders and professional dancers, DeAndra Smith is participating as a representative of the members of Independence Center. Smith became a member in 2014 after seven years of combating severe depression, anxiety and PTSD without a home or adequate employment. Through Independence Center, he was able to find a community of support, safe and affordable housing, and a place to use his culinary skills. His next goal is a master’s degree in culinary arts, and he hopes to someday open his own restaurant. “DeAndra exemplifies our mission,” Berger says. “He serves as the face and voice of mental illness, helping to break the stigma by letting others know and see him.”
Pictured at top: Independence Center member DeAndra Smith, right, and his dance partner Emily Wehrman in the Clubhouse kitchen
Photos courtesy of Independence Center
Independence Center is a community-based rehabilitation program for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. It hosts its annual Dancing with the St. Louis Stars fundraising event at 6 p.m. Jan. 27, 2018, at The Ritz-Carlton. Pictured on the cover, front row: Carmen Jacobs, Emily Wehrman, Deandra Smith, Nancy Gilbride. Back row: Mark Bulanda, Matt Geekie, Lauren Herring, Dan Rothery. For tickets and more information, call 314.880.5404 or visit dancingwiththestlouisstars.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo courtesy of Independence Center
