About Us

The Independence Center was started fifteen years ago as a rehabilitation program for persons with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since its inception, Independence Center has been dedicated to the principles of member empowerment, a strong consumer orientation, and a belief that a person is much more than a set of symptoms associated with mental illness.

As the name of the Center implies, the agency fosters independence, self-sufficiency, and a satisfying quality of life for each of its members.

The program:

• maximizes the abilities of participants to manage their lives;
• minimizes the social isolation and sense of loss of functioning induced by mental illness;
• aids participants in reclaiming their self-esteem and sense of competency; and
• brings participants into various kinds of vocational activity.

The fundamental premise of the program is that people function best when they feel useful and important.  To achieve this, Independence Center uses the "Clubhouse" model of psychosocial rehabilitation.

Many of the social and vocational skills, which are learned by members, are practiced as they perform the tasks, which are necessary for care of the 8,000 square feet of the Clubhouse.

Opportunities for learning are a result of the many clerical functions, which are required in the management of the Center.  Food preparation skills are acquired as members prepare lunch for each other on a daily basis.

Transitional Employment Placements allow members to function on jobs with local businesses on a part-time, supported basis.  The employment aspects of the Center interact with the social nature of the program to meet a wide range of needs.

In an average year, approximately 250 members participate in the program.  Participation is voluntary and without time limits.  Once a person becomes a member of the Center, he or she is always welcome to return.  Some members attend the program on a daily basis.  Others participate as little as once a month.  On average the Center has 65 to 70 members attending each day.

The Center has a housing program, which provides affordable housing to 36 individuals.  Case management, crisis intervention and ongoing support is offered to all members whenever necessary.