I have been a staff member of Passageway since November, 2003, and currently hold the position of Clubhouse Coordinator. I was promoted into this newly-created position in April, 2006. My responsibilities include supervising the day-to-day running of the clubhouse, in tandem with the Executive Director, which includes: supervising and completing all billing for services to government and provider agencies; representing Passageway at meetings in the mental health community; assisting the Director with the finances of the clubhouse; as well as the basic responsibilities of a typical staff generalist of Passageway.

 

I was hired as a Staff Generalist, and was assigned to the Clerical Unit, which is still where I spend most of my time. While I assist around the clubhouse wherever it is needed, the Clerical Unit focuses on gathering statistical information for the clubhouse to be used for both billing and grant writing purposes; writing, editing, and assembling both a daily and monthly newsletter for the membership and community; reaching out to members to find out how they are doing and to encourage them to come to the clubhouse; creating and producing all of the forms used at the clubhouse, including our intake application, brochure, and website.

 

But the most important of my responsibilities, both now and in the past, is to cultivate and nourish relationships with members, encouraging them to stretch themselves and develop their strengths and talents.

 

I have greatly enjoyed my time at Passageway. I have been able to attend many conferences and continuing education seminars to help me keep abreast of the changes in the field of mental health services in the State of Iowa, and that of the clubhouse community throughout the world. I attended the 6th Mid-States Clubhouse Convention in Fort Wayne, IN within my first year at the clubhouse, and in June, 2006 I was lucky enough to be selected to attend 3-week clubhouse training at Fountain House in New York City. I also contributed my story to the VOICES Project, which was a theatrical piece written by members and staff of Passageway about living with mental illness. VOICES was originally performed, in collaboration with StageWest Theatre Company, in December, 2004. All of these experiences have been invaluable. They have given me great insight and have enabled me to function much more effectively in the clubhouse.

 

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Psychology. Previous to my graduation, I worked in several different job,s including managing a small, family-owned restaurant, text manager at a university bookstore, receptionist/insurance specialist for a doctor’s office, and provided Direct Care Support for individuals with Mental Retardation, Brain Injury, and Developmental Disabilities. I believe that all of my work experience has greatly helped my continued development within the clubhouse and mental health communities.

 

I grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt High School. I am the oldest of five children and am close with my family, both immediate and extended. I have a very active personal life and enjoy spending time with friends, working out, reading and traveling.

 

Mental illness is an issue that touched home in my family. My father passed away when I was 24, and it was his life and, ultimately, his death that led me down the path I am on today. I love my job. I spend the majority of my day developing relationships with others that enables them to lead fuller more productive lives.

 

Passageway came into my life just as I was searching for a career that I felt would give my life meaning, and not just a paycheck. The philosophy of clubhouse can benefit anyone that enters into it, both member and staff. It has taught me to be more patient, empathetic, respectful, tolerant and kind. It has also helped to teach me how to be a better advocate for mental health and, subsequently, for myself – an attribute that I feel most people could benefit from. I can’t imagine my life without Passageway.