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New Support, Education and Recreation Facility for Metro Detroiters Living with Serious Mental Health Disorders.
The Lois and Milton Y. Zussman Center, designed for individuals with a serious mental health diagnosis, has moved to a new facility that is more than double the size of its original space and will host an Open House on Thursday, August 8 from 5 – 7 p.m.
The open house will showcase the new facility which was designed by and for individuals with mental health diagnoses who seek a welcoming and engaging community atmosphere where they can enjoy social and cultural activities, educational classes, culinary experiences, vocationally support, and volunteer opportunities. The new 8,676 square feet space is located within the Vanguard Center at 23800 W 10 Mile Road, Southfield. RSVP’s are required for the event and can be submitted online here. For images of the new Zussman Center click here.
The Zussman Center will house two programs:
Clubhouse for the Common Good, which offers employment opportunities, educational classes, culinary and horticultural experiences, wellness and fitness opportunities, and social and cultural activities; and Creative Expressions, an artistic enrichment program that collaborates with a variety of community partners to give participants unique opportunities in everything from photography, painting, and sculpture, to music, dance, singing classes and creative writing. Participants at the Clubhouse for Common Good are diagnosed with persistent mental health conditions, such as severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The Creative Expressions program also offers artistic services to these individuals, as well as for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The Clubhouse for the Common Good and Creative Expressions
currently impacts the lives of more than 120 individuals served through Gesher Human Services. This new space at the Zussman Center will allow for additional growth for the Clubhouse and provides a permanent art studio space for Creative Expressions. The Clubhouse recently joined Clubhouse International, an organization which supports and offers accreditation to clubhouses all over the world. One of the standards for clubhouse accreditation is that the facility is a welcoming space, easily accessible to the public and needs to be located in an space independent from its auspice agency, in this case, Gesher Human Services; the new facility meets those requirements.
The buildout for the new space was partly funded by the Multicultural Integration Fund through the State of Michigan, along with additional grants and donations. New grant money will also help to expand employment opportunities for participants as a new employment specialist will be on site.
“There is definitely a need to provide additional and better resources for people with mental health needs, ensuring they can be active in their community,” explained Gesher’s Vice President of Community Inclusion, Nathan Volz. “At the Clubhouse for the Common Good, participants are expected to take part in a work-ordered day, whether that means seeking employment, furthering their education, making and serving meals, working in our horticultural unit, creating the newsletter, or enhancing their wellness and relationships. Everyone shares the space – staff and members are all considered colleagues – and there is no hierarchy.”
Volz stressed the importance of the facility not having a clinical nature.
“A clubhouse is intended to focus on individual growth and community inclusion. It should not feel like a visit to a therapist; members aren’t going there to be reminded that they have a challenge, but instead they have a purpose, are engaged, and part of an important community in a really pleasing setting,” he said.
Individuals diagnosed with a serious mental health condition who might be interested in attending the Clubhouse for the Common Good at the Zussman Center can call 248.233.4325. Individuals interested in Creative Expressions or the Clubhouse can find more information on Gesher Human Services’ website at geshermi.org.
About Gesher Human Services
Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community.
The organization works with job seekers, people with disabilities, older adults, and the community at large to provide skills, support, and equitable opportunities for people to succeed. Uniting two of metro Detroit’s most influential Jewish human services agencies, JVS Human Services and Kadima, Gesher brings over 110 years of combined experience facilitating equitable employment opportunities and better mental health outcomes for residents. With a network of more than 400 employees and volunteers across 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of over 26,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.