New Key Clubhouse facility a big step in filling gap in mental health system

It has been 14 years since a group of family members and a young woman with bipolar disorder started Key Clubhouse to fill a significant gap in the mental health system.

The group found ways to offer individuals with serious mental illness the opportunities for meaningful work, education, friendships, and access to housing in a supportive, caring and dignified community setting.

Key Clubhouse of South Florida recently opened its new 5,000 square-foot facility at Northside Commons in Miami. The nonprofit offers a free work-centered program for adults living with serious bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression. It assists them with recovery and reintegration into the community.

“We are proud to open this new Key Clubhouse at Northside Commons as it now enables us to serve more individuals in our community,” said Debra Webb, executive director. “Our primary focus is to encourage members to learn new skills and rebuild old ones while also helping them to find employment.”

Webb said about 45 members are living in apartment units at the Northside Commons Clubhouse.

Built through a partnership with Carrfour Supportive Housing, the Key Clubhouse of South Florida is the only Clubhouse in Florida offering supportive housing in the same building.

The group is an accredited member of Clubhouse International, the governing body of a worldwide network of more than 330 mental health Clubhouses on six continents. The organization’s mission is to bring positive change to the lives of those living with mental illness. It is funded by the Thriving Mind/Department of Children and Families, Miami-Dade County, several foundations, and numerous generous contributors.

Companies providing employment include Career Source of South Florida, Sonesta Hotel, Levy Restaurant Compass Group (FTX Arena & Marlins Park), Centerplate (Hard Rock Stadium), Books & Books, Publix Supermarket, Busy Bee Car Wash, and Segal Trials.

“We thank the many companies that offer jobs to our members,” Webb said. “Placing them in a work setting instills a sense of pride and responsibility which helps them to achieve their full potential. Their talents and abilities are recognized and encouraged.”

Visit www.keyclubhouse.org for more. Companies wishing to provide employment to Clubhouse members can call 305-693-3508.

Teen volunteer continues journey

Adriana Olea has boundless energy to volunteer. And while she cannot now be with the Third Wave Volunteers who are teaching triage in war-torn Ukraine, Adriana has not missed a beat to help others this past year.

As part of a group of interns with Third Wave Volunteers, she helped create a safety video with critical information about what to do when someone is overdosing on drugs.

“I personally believe it is crucial to spread awareness on how to react in dire situations when one is not medically trained and the PSA is very effective at demonstrating just how to respond and what to do,” Adriana, now 18, said. “Allowing kids our age to have a basic understanding of emergency response. It can truly save a life.”

The MAST Academy graduate who is headed to Northeastern University also spent time in Louisiana after Hurricane Ida working in impoverished communities.

“Apart from learning the basics of crisis mitigation and emergency response, I connected with people on a level I didn’t know was possible,” she said. “The team of volunteers was quick to take me in as their own. Each of them told me stories about their past and their life journeys opening up their hearts to a 17-year-old girl who had never done anything like that before.

“In Dulac, I met four girls who I will never forget,” she said. “As the team’s official COVID tester, I came into the community in my scrubs with an armful of PCR tests. However, upon arrival, I quickly noticed an adamant apprehension towards tests.

“No one came near me or my cotton swabs. Until one seven-year-old girl, with her cat in hand, tip-toed her way next to me and plopped down as I set up the rest of the supplies. She was curious and full of questions.

“I spent the day explaining to her the basic medical supplies and what our team was doing in terms of rehabilitating her community. She was wide-eyed and excited, quickly getting more passionate about the work that was being done to help her community. Soon, she persuaded her entire family to get tested, which started a domino effect upon the entire community.”

Alison Thompson, founder of Third Wave Volunteers, said Adriana has blossomed in the last year. “She’s outstanding. The trip to Louisiana changed her life,” Thompson said.

Adriana said the children followed her around helping and “when it was time to go, they each said goodbye. The oldest thanked me for bringing her family back their smiles, and the youngest promised me she was going to become a nurse and wear the nurse cap just like me one day.” For more on how to help with donations or volunteer, visit www.thirdwavevolunteers.com.

Thrift shop helps formerly imprisoned women

Women who have experienced incarceration are in one of the most marginalized groups. Most have stories of suffering, abuse and addiction. But thanks to LEAP, a 13-year-old Miami nonprofit that provides education, housing and employment, many also have stories of redemption and resilience.

In April, the group collaborated with students from Design and Architecture Senior High to host a fundraising fashion show featuring LEAP graduates as models. The event was part of the “More Than Project,” said LEAP’s executive director Mahlia Lindquist.

“The More Than Project is not just about hip T-shirts — it is about inspiring real change. We want society to view women coming out of prison as more than ‘felons,’ ‘offenders,’ or ‘cons.’ They are mothers, sisters, daughters… human beings deserving of compassion, empathy and opportunity,” Lindquist said.

You can help by visiting Dragonfly Thrift Boutique. The shop features second-hand luxury designer brands, and new pieces are added to the curated collection every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Dragonfly also seeks donations of home decor, furniture and clothing. Visit www.LeapForLadies.org

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.

This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 10:41 AM.