THE QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY
ASKED ABOUT GENESIS HOUSE

What is Genesis House and what does it do?

Genesis House is a social and employment program for people who have experienced severe and persistent mental illness to have a place to go where they’re needed...where they have access to friendships, meaningful involvements, and job opportunities. Simply put, it’s a community.

How are members motivated by coming to Genesis House?

Here at the clubhouse, we concentrate on the skills and talents of the members, not on treating the mental illness. Members are motivated to improve the quality of their lives by taking advantage of the different opportunities at Genesis House. The Clubhouse provides a variety of opportunities, so that members can be engaged in meaningful relationships, in daily involvements, as well as in working on paid jobs in the community-at-large through the Transitional Employment program.

Who is eligible to become a member of a Clubhouse?

Clubhouses work with adult men and women that have a serious and persistent mental illness, such as Schizophrenia or Bi-polar Disorder.

Why does Genesis House look the way it looks?

Because it’s supposed to be a home-like atmosphere, a private club, and people take a lot of pride in it. It’s specifically designed NOT to look like an institution.

Does Genesis House have doctors, nurses, or therapists?

No. We don’t do therapy here. Members often utilize the services of Community Mental Health or other health care providers at locations other than Genesis House.

Does Genesis House encourage dependency?

We use the image of a healthy family. Because mental illness is for life, because it comes and goes, alternating periods of health and productivity with periods of severe incapacity, members need a community to be there for them when they need to come back, while strengthening and encouraging them to get back into the community-at-large when they are thriving.

How often do members have to come to Genesis House?

Participation at Genesis House is always voluntary, and we encourage members to come as often as they wish.

What are “TE’s?

“TE’s” are Transitional Employment placements. They are time-limited, part-time positions that members can hold in major companies in the community-at-large. Genesis House staff provide member selection, training and coverage for all TE’s.

Why can’t a members stay permanently on a TE placement?

We provide specific supports to members on TE’s that we couldn’t sustain if they worked on these jobs independently. Also, we want TE’s to be available to as many different members as possible. We think of TE’s as belonging to the clubhouse community, as opposed to a single individual. Also, TE’s are not intended to be about permanent jobs, but to help people learn how to work successfully, to explore different job possibilities, with a goal of eventually having a permanent job of their own.

How soon can a member get a TE job?

There are no guarantees for TE placements. We emphasize that members should come to their clubhouse work units to get to know staff and other members, who will then help them get to know what TE’s are available and what TE’s might be right for them.