Genesis Club is an incredible family of members and staff who make up a supportive community that changes lives. Genesis Club is a mental health and special needs agency, which provides hope and support to its members. Nationally, the rate of individuals with mental health issues that are employed is 8.6%. Genesis Club boasts 47% rate of employment.

Housing

Genesis Club has four contracts of supportive housing that make up 50 total units of housing. There are 12 new units on Belmont St., 8 units of leased housing, 12 units under a HUD contract, and 18 units under the Department of Mental Health. There are 7 staff people working in housing.

The Genesis Club has outreach programs that go to the PIP shelter on a weekly basis and looks out for people who might have mental health issues that are preventing them from getting out of homelessness. Individuals with mental health problems aren’t all diagnosed or treated, and this can make their lives difficult or even impossible. Genesis assists by helping the individual get treatment and learn to maintain their illness.

Individuals can utilize housing services for life, and the services are always available to them. The goal of the housing program is for members to be self-sufficient and have their own home and many times, a job they enjoy.

Programs

There are 443 members of Genesis Club outside of the housing program. They utilize services in the clubhouse itself. The programs include employment, education, payee-ship, ongoing supports such as communication with doctors and medications, and social programs. The clubhouse has a warm, welcoming environment, and has a packed calendar of events. Monday through Friday there are meetings and programs all day, including support and planning meetings. There are trips every Saturday that are extremely affordable and allow members to get out for a fun day trip. On Sundays the clubhouse is open from 11pm to 3 pm and dinner is served in the dining room.

  Genesis Club has a dining room that serves lunch and dinner each day as well as a snack bar that is open in between meals. Both are run by members of the Club and are social areas where members can hang out and chat.

Employment

The employment program at Genesis Club is designed to ease individuals into the working world. The first step is transitional employment, when an individual has a job, and the employer and Genesis Club have close communication. There is no interview, for this type of employment and it is for a temporary basis. The next step is supportive employment, which the employer has some connection with Genesis Club, but less intense. The individual is more independent, and this employment can last any length of time. The third type is independent employment, when the individual interviews and holds the job on their own, and there is no communication between the employer and Genesis. This system has been very effective at easing people into employment and finding careers that fit them.

For more information on the programs at the Genesis Club, go to their website: http://www.genesisclub.org/