Mayor Eric Adams\u2019 $30 million plan to expand services for mentally ill New Yorkers is finally complete \u2014 with 13 large \u201cclubhouses\u201d now operating across the five boroughs, he announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Adams spearheaded the state-and city-funded initiative beginning in 2023 to develop the large centers serving 300 or more New Yorkers each, according to the mayor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot feeling like you\u2019re part of a community, not feeling like you\u2019re part of a group, it actually has an impact on your physical health,\u201d Adams said speaking at a press conference at one of the centers, Venture House in The Bronx. \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to have places like these clubhouses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Eric Adams served rice to himself at Venture House, a mental health clubhouse in the Bronx. Michael Appleton\/Mayoral Photography Office<\/p>\n
Six of the clubhouses were already operating and used the funding to grow their capacity, while the other seven are brand-new. The last of those, Phoenix House, opened in July in Manhattan, City Hall officials said.<\/p>\n
With the changes, enrollment at city clubhouses will double to 6,600 members by 2027, the officials said.<\/p>\n
The centers are operated by nonprofits and offer health, social and job resources to members with varying degrees of psychological troubles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Members also have jobs and responsibilities at the clubhouses, such as giving tours, serving food, cleaning and helping out at the reception area.<\/p>\n
Adams also played part of a pool game with Venture House members Tuesday after a press conference. Haley Brown \/ NY Post<\/p>\n
City officials celebrated the initiative as part of Adams\u2019 \u201cEnd the Culture of Anything Goes\u201d campaign. Michael Appleton\/Mayoral Photography Office<\/p>\n
Manhattan now has four clubhouses; Brooklyn and The Bronx have three each; Queens has two; and Staten Island has one.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0city health department also plans to gather and analyze more data on members, according to Health Commissioner Michelle Morse.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of our goal is actually to really improve the data and demonstrate the outcomes,\u201d Morse said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
City officials celebrated the initiative as part of Adams\u2019 \u201cEnd the Culture of Anything Goes\u201d campaign, which highlights his administration\u2019s work on mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hizzoner took the podium to cheers from Venture House members, who will now be able to use the brand new Bronx clubhouse because of the investment, according to City Hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am at home here,\u201d Adams said, crying at times during his address.<\/p>\n
Adams posed with members of Venture House. Michael Appleton\/Mayoral Photography Office<\/p>\n
The Adams administration nearly doubled previous investments in mental health clubhouses, but the focus on larger locations, edged out nine smaller clubhouses<\/a> that were no longer eligible to apply for Department of Health contracts because of new capacity requirements.<\/p>\n