Programs - what do we actually do?
At The Carriage House, recovery isn't something we do for you — it's something we do together. Every day.
Everything you need to thrive
We use the Clubhouse Model. It is internationally recognized and evidence-based.
Our days are structured around doing things together. We work side by side — not as staff and clients, but as colleagues. Cooking meals, running the office, tending the garden, welcoming new members. The work is real, the relationships are real, and so is the sense of belonging that comes from being truly needed.
This is the Clubhouse Model. And it changes everything.
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Café Unit
Prepare meals, manage the kitchen, and build hospitality skills in a real working environment that feeds the whole community.
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Employment Support
Job coaching, transitional employment placements, and supported employment to help members return to work on their terms.
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Data Processing Unit
Handle data entry, digital communications, and administrative work that keeps the Clubhouse organized and connected.
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Education Program
GED support, college enrollment assistance, tutoring, and connections to adult education resources in Fort Wayne.
The Cafe Unit
The Café Unit is responsible for planning, shopping and preparing daily breakfasts and lunches, they also prepare Wednesday night social meals. This unit is also responsible for the house’s snack bar.
Our dining room operates like a small restaurant during lunch hour, providing various meaningful tasks from back kitchen help to waitstaff and cashiers.
This unit likes to keep bellies happy and gives members a chance to do more physically active tasks.
The Data Processing Unit (DPU)
This unit is responsible for recording useful data and uses it to compile monthly reports and write grants. They pay the house operating bills and keep track of the house budget and money accounts. They design and produce cards for celebrations and outreach.
In addition, the DPU engages members and staff into going into the community, education and sharing information about the Carriage House with our Speaker's Bureau. They are also responsible for planning and organizing the greenhouse and garden.
This is a unit that prizes attention to detail and gives members a behind the scenes view.
Membership Services Unit (MSU)
This unit is responsible for reception and orientation of prospective new members, education and employment support, various community resources, and the Member Bank.
MSU also acts as a liaison between the Indiana Clubhouse Coalition and the Carriage House. MSU uses newsletters and social media posts to keep the community up to date with what is going on.
This is a unit where you can engage with members to help reach their goals and keep colleagues informed of house events.
Employment
Employment is the lifeblood of the Carriage House
At Carriage House, all members have the right to receive assistance with employment. We can help if you have never had a job, have had jobs in the past but are currently not working or you are currently working and looking to upgrade your employment. Like all Clubhouses, we help in a few different ways:
Transitional Employment (TE)
Transitional Employment is ideal for people who haven’t worked in a while. It is an employment program unique to the Clubhouse model that partners with area businesses to help people transition into the work world. TE allows Clubhouse members to work for a paid, part-time job with support from the clubhouse and training from Clubhouse staff. With TE, Clubhouse members get to skip the competitive application and interview process’s, get personalized training, assistance with benefits, coverage if you are sick and, on the job, continuing support. TE jobs last from 6-9 months in duration, after which time the Clubhouse works to help members move into more independent employment.
Supported and Independent Employment (SE/IE)
The Clubhouse works to help members gain, sustain and better their employment through many different supports including assistance with applications, interviewing, benefit reporting, resume writing, identifying job leads and, in some cases, maintaining a relationship with employers.
Education and Speaker's Bureau
The Clubhouse encourages members to pursue their educational goals. Members and staff work together to assist with tutoring, returning to college, obtaining a GED or HSE (high school equivalency), computer literacy classes, financial aid and more.
Speakers’ Bureau is a group of members and staff that advocates out in the community about the stigma of mental health and the opportunities available at the Carriage House. This group, the members can write and present their own recovery stories. We operate booths at a broad variety of community events and speak to college classes, churches and other organizations.
Housing
Lots of folks are dealing with issues around housing. We are proud to help each other identify housing options, apply with landlords, physically move into better places, and help navigate challenges with maintaining housing.