Program Participant Spotlight: Jabarie, Greater Heights Clubhouse

How did you find out about the Clubhouse?

Actually, I went through Ms. Nicole, and she’s from BCS. She told me about this program and how it can help and help me reform my issues and have a place where I can come and speak to people and not be depressed and stuff.

Is depression what you’ve struggled with mainly?

I struggle with a few things: depression, bipolar, anger. I have a whole bunch of stuff, 

How did you meet Nicole? 

I met Nicole through one of the case workers. She referred me to Nicole and said that she was going to be able to help me. So my counselor at my own shelter referred me to Nicole, and it’s been good since.

How long ago was that? How long have you been going to the Clubhouse?

Going on three weeks now. Probably two, three weeks. 

Wow! So you’re still pretty new then.

Yeah. I’m here most days now. I get to introduce my service dog tomorrow, Milo, so I can be here even more. I have to introduce him because he’s a big dog, so he has to be introduced correctly. I’m happy I can be with my dog.

How long have you had Milo?

For about seven to eight months now. Without him, I’m kind of lost and stressed. 

What’s been your favorite thing about the Clubhouse so far?

The fact that they don’t judge me. I can be myself, I can get the help that I need, and I can talk to people and they won’t judge me because of my issues. It’s very helpful.

Do you like the staff?

Yeah, they’re definitely very, very helpful. Prior to me coming here, I wasn’t getting no real assistance, and I was going through a lot.

What kind of activities do you do? 

We have groups in the morning time, and if you have issues–if you want to help them with the clubhouse–you can help them. If I have an issue, I can come see my counselor or one of the other staff, and they can help me. They help me immediately. Everybody just has your back.

Have you been able to meet many other Clubhouse members yet?

Yeah. Everybody has their own little issues that they need to get help with. And yeah, staff here, they help you out immediately with whatever you need help with. That’s a good thing, because I haven’t been around any program that really does that. 

So you didn’t have any program before this that you were going to regularly?

When I was younger, but they weren’t really targeting their clients like that. Here, it’s a lot of one-on-one and group, and it makes you want to help. There’s so much stuff to do, so I like to be busy, so I do a lot of different things in the clubhouse. And it keeps me, it keeps me very– it’s like therapy for me.

What are some of the things you’ve been doing?

I like to cook, so I’ve been doing a lot of helping in the kitchen. I do maintenance, so I help sweep and mop and do the garbage and help do the floors if needed or paint whatever is needed. So that’s great. I’m able to do it, and I’m happy I’m able to do it. And people respect the fact that I have these skills.

Are you planning to keep going to the Clubhouse for a while?

Yeah, it’s worth it. I don’t really do anything else too much.

What do you usually do in your free time?

I’m with my dog, Milo, and I walk him. I don’t do too much.

Have you noticed any changes in your mental health since you joined the Clubhouse?

I have more hope again. I’m not feeling like life is over. They helped me out here a lot. They gave me my mojo back, I guess. I have something to look forward to when I wake up besides my dog.