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HERO House 

Description

HERO House is an accredited Clubhouse of Psychiatric Rehabilitation where members recovering from Mental illness come to reclaim their lives and rejoin their community. HERO House is the “What Now” for individuals who have become lost in the mental health system; or who are successful in clinical treatment but are left isolated and unemployed. We help people rebuild their lives through education, advocacy, pre-vocational skill building, socialization, employment placement, employment retention.

Mission Statement
The mission of HERO House, an ICCD clubhouse, is to provide rehabilitation programs for adult living with mental illness and facilitate their recovery through increased hope, greater empowerment, meaningful relationships, and abundant opportunities.
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HERO House
14230 NE 21st St 
Bellevue 
WA
98007-3720 
(425) 614-1282 

Erica Horn 
Executive Director 

Programs

HERO House Programs

We are committed to the vocational and social recovery of adults with chronic mental illness. Services are offered free of charge.  The cornerstone of clubhouse is the prevocational, work-ordered day. Members are encouraged to strengthen their abilities through voluntary participation in the daily tasks of the clubhouse operations. Working side-by-side with staff, members develop a sense of achievement. Participation in the work-ordered day prepares members for workforce reentry via transitional and supported employment opportunities.

Through the HERO House Career Development Center, Transitional (TE) and Supported Employment (SE) provides members a graduated approach, with steadily decreasing support that does not end until the member is successfully retained in community-based business and industry. Additional long term job retention services are always available.

Member support (entitlement/benefit management, housing and advocacy, promoting healthy lifestyles, assistance in finding quality medical, psychological, pharmacological and substance abuse services) is provided on a daily basis by staff and peers of the clubhouse. Social and recreational programming is offered on a weekly basis and HERO House is open on all major holidays. HERO House is the only provider of such comprehensive psychiatric rehabilitation services in East King County. Through open access, HERO House serves any adult diagnosed with a mental illness regardless of insurance coverage.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

In 2012, we launched our HERO House Wellness Program. “People with known mental health conditions have higher background rates of cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, inactivity, and obesity,” says Dr. Alex Mitchell of Leicester University, UK.

At the HERO House snack bar, which is operated by members, we began offering healthy snacks at lowered costs.  We also facilitate 30 minute ‘Wellness Walks’ every day. During our twice daily unit meetings we discuss wellness tips to encourage healthy lifestyles. We created a ‘Wellness Board’ and corresponding binders chock-full of nutritional and health related topics, research, etc. The most innovative part of the program is our monthly ‘Healthy Hero Cooking’ demonstration where members demonstrate how to prepare a healthy meal on a budget. The Wellness Program has a huge impact on membership. The program can be summarized by the few words from HERO House members: “The Wellness Program gets us closer to recovery”, “The Wellness Program is important because you can live longer”, and “You can’t feel whole without wellness”.

Inextricably tied to the success of our Wellness Program is the need for staff, their presence and support.  More importantly, we need peer-staff to ensure continuity of the program.  Initially began under the supervision of a sole intern, it is realized that for stability, growth and success of the Wellness Program, a part time staff member with dedicated oversight is essential.  

Evaluation


Hero House assists, supports and empowers their members struggling with mental illness in achieving their educational, employment and life goals.

Proven Success
Hero House is a consumer driven program, membership is offered on a lifetime basis, with no cost to the member. Over 96% of members served are very low or low income. The emphasis is on ability, not disability. The environment and programs are designed to provide meaningful relationships and meaningful work for individuals that may otherwise be preoccupied with illness and disability.

Being a member of the Clubhouse imbues one with a sense of belonging in a surrounding that helps to build self-worth, renewing a sense of purpose and bolstering confidence. For many, the clubhouse is a place where they can learn and practice work skills, meet new friends and build meaningful, supportive relationships. They provided case management, non-clinical counseling, information and referral services and employment services.

Use of Best Practices
Their Supported Employment program began in July 2010. In December, 2011 they received their first official review by King County. They were rated high based on their strong staff support for this program and the inclusive nature of their program.

Financial Health
Their state funding is decreasing but they are receiving replacement funding from King County through the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) Plan. They do not expect and interruption in any of their services and programs. To date, they receive support from six cities (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Kenmore, and Sammamish) and hope to increase this number to nine by 2013 by adding Bothell, Renton and Woodinville. They dedicate their time and energy on fundraising, donor cultivation, event planning, foundation relationships and securing corporate sponsorships.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
12/10/2012 $10,000.00provide general operating support.
12/10/2011 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/10/2009 $15,000.00support general operating expenses of HERO House.

Financials

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