Gathering Hope House is a consumer operated and consumer designed recovery center based on the innovative new movement of Ohio Department of Mental Health’s Recovery Concept, which is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
In the past year, our center has attempted to make significant strides in offering a variety of services to individuals living with a mental illness, their families and their community. Peer support allows us to be responsible and accountable to other members and to ourselves. Gathering Hope House is place where members have a choice of activities and allows opportunities for making connections to other people who may become a friend. Volunteerism and self help also encourages independence amongst peers who enable each other by sharing similar issues and experiences. The focus of peer support and volunteerism has further added to an already full array of education and support services including a consumer-operated comfortline (warm-line), Bridges, WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plans), Advanced Directives Classes, and Climbing into the Driver’s seat (teaching consumers about outcome surveys) the creation of ISP’s (Individual Success Plans) enabling us to serve an even greater number of consumers in the recovery process.
We also offer computer classes in our internet equipped computer lab. Graduates of the 8 week class take home a gently used computer, with up to date software to keep! Other spaces in our clubhouse include a spacious community room (nautical theme); a commercial kitchen, Happy Days Café (decorated in 50’s soda fountain theme) and a consumer run snack shop. Our library and quiet room give members a place to relax, while others shoot pool in our game room and arcade. We are particularly excited about our future anti-stigma campaign, which will include art and theatre as a way of connecting to our neighborhoods. Recreational activities in the community and in our art studio are also being planned for evening and weekend programming.
An array of life enhancing wellness programs focusing on physical and mental health and nutrition are also in the making. Currently, our 12,000 foot facility includes an 18 station fitness center equipped with top of the line Magnum equipment, 3 flat screen televisions and showers. Our fitness instructor offers one on one individualized instruction. Tae kwon do and self defense classes are also scheduled weekly. Members also have the option to join the “Butt out” classes to reduce smoking habits.
Consumers play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of all services. In fact, our entire staff has a mental illness or has used mental health services at one time or another. Our staff is available to encourage or role model ways to reach personal goals and assist members in their ability to deal with their illness.
We continue to strengthen and support people and their families by providing education and information about resources for people with mental health issues, families, professionals, and the public. We also serve “at risk” individuals such as those that are homeless. All of our programming is free to anyone in Lorain County with or at risk of having a mental illness.
