- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
- Bay Cover Human Services
- Center Club
Center Club, the oldest and largest Clubhouse in New England for people with psychiatric disabilities recently marked 60 years of dedication to the principles of self-help, peer support and empowerment. The beginnings of the club dates back to 1958, when Dr. Sam Grob co-founder, began meeting with six recently discharged patients with mental illness. They met in the offices of the Massachusetts Association of Mental Health with the purpose of forming a "friendship club."
Today Center Club, like many clubhouses, is Monday-Friday program. It combines employment, housing and education services with social activities, wellness initiatives, and advocacy using a holistic approach that is highly empowering. Club members attend on a voluntary basis, participating in Club management, policy development and the day-to-day operation of the program. The Club is a membership program, the activities of which evolve around the interests of its members. The program makes use of self-help principles and operates on the peer and partner model. Club and staff members work side by side in all Club activities and functions.
A 60th Anniversary Dinner Gala was held on October 23. The evening featured a delicious meal, and remarks form clubhouse members followed by Bill Sprague, President and CEO of Bay Cove Human Services which operates the Clubhouse. Mary Gregorio. Who is the first female Director of Center Club praised the effort and togetherness of the Gala crew and participants. The club’s theater group performed hit songs from the 1950s through today to celebrate the club’s history through the years. The togetherness of the club was evident by the excitement on dance floor, which was filled with just about everyone in attendance.
On November 7 Center Club also held their annual Open House. The afternoon included clubhouse tours, member awards, video highlights from the 60th Anniversary Gala, member testimonies, and a special presentation to the Point After Club in Lawrence. It was a memorable way to cap off their 60th year, and look forward to continued success!
