Breakthrough Club
Company Profile:
Breakthrough Club is a non profit, Social and Vocational rehabilitation program dedicated to helping people who have a mental illness to become independent, productive citizens of the community. Differing from other mental health agencies, Breakthrough Club focuses on wellness and abilities. Through structure and support, members and staff work together in all activities. Since 1987, our programs have operated on the clubhouse philosophy pioneered at Fountain House in New York City.
The "Clubhouse" functions around a Work-Ordered day that involves scheduling, volunteer tasks, enjoying meals together, and training and educational opportunities. Breakthrough Club accomplishes its goals through advocacy programs in the areas of education, job training, employment, housing, transportation, wellness, and development of social and life skills. Job coaching, case management, and assistance in securing transitional employment and later full-time independent employment are all offered at Breakthrough Club.
Because mental illness frequently strikes during the teen years and is often untreated, Breakthrough Club created our Youth Services or Transition Age Program to provide support for young people ages 16-24. There are no other programs of this kind in the state of Kansas and very few in the United States. Located in a separate facility, this program offers tutoring, work and independent living skills, social events and field trips.
The programs that have comprised our Clubhouse Model program have multiplied and grown over the years. We are now serving over 300 Members (clients) on a monthly basis in the following programs:
Clubhouse Work Ordered Day: A day program which focuses on meaningful work. This program prepares members for employment, builds a network of healthy friends and provides time to have fun.
Employment Services focus on placing people in jobs in the Wichita community. We presently have 82 members working in area businesses.
Supported Education helps members finish their education at local schools and universities. This semester, 27 members are attending school.
Education Support Unit provides assistance in GED, High School completion and literacy support. On several computer stations, members can access local college courses via the internet. We also provide technical assistance and college tutoring for these students.
Case Management is available for 125 of our members. We provide assistance for people who are struggling with the symptoms of their illness and need extra help with individual obstacles such as access to quality health care, housing, employment, medication, social interactions/skills, education and personal living skills.
Youth Program (Transition Age Program: TAP) is a dynamic, high-energy program for young people ages 12 to 24 who have difficulty with the symptoms of mental illness. Activities include focusing on completing education, holding down part-time jobs, and having fun with safe evening social activities.
Depressive and Bi-Polar Support Alliance is a self-help group that meets weekly for the working professional in the community who struggles with mental illness but is not disabled. The focus is on education about Depression and Bi-Polar disorders and
Social Club provides our members an opportunity to meet their social and recreational needs several weekday evenings and on Saturday afternoons. Social club mixes activities in the community with activities in our facility and include taking in a show at a theater, dinner at a local restaurant, trips to local stores, visits to local museums and many other activities, including overnight excursions.
Unfortunately, a mental illness diagnosis most often means a life of poverty, institutions and dependence. Because we serve people with a mental illness, those who benefit from our programs are mostly poor persons in our society who have been largely shunned, hidden and ignored. Breakthrough Club does not discriminate in any way, including ability to pay for services, because of this operating directive, all of our members are either Medicaid consumers or are uninsured.
For more information, please contact:
Breakthrough Club
PO Box 47563
Wichita, KS 67201
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