Mission + Commitment
Our Mission
Austin Clubhouse exists to provide acceptance and empowerment so adults living with mental health diagnoses can pursue personal goals and play a meaningful role as co-workers, colleagues, family members, neighbors and friends.
Our Vision
We envision a healthy community in which all people living with a serious mental illness will achieve their highest potential.
How it works
People at the Clubhouse are referred to as “members” instead of clients, patients, or consumers. We focus on a person’s strengths, versus their diagnosis or their disabilities. Members have equal access to every Clubhouse opportunity with no differentiation based on diagnosis or level of functioning.
Members volunteer their time in various units and find purpose in participating in the meaningful work of the Clubhouse. By working side-by-side with staff, meaningful relationships are developed, and it is through these meaningful relationships and meaningful work that members build skills, develop a sense of purpose and re-enter the community as co-workers, neighbors, and friends.
Staff
Board of Directors
Jennifer Cardenas, Executive Director
John-Michael Krakoski, Program Director
Julia Reyes, Development Associate
John Woods, Vitality Unit Staff Generalist
Samantha Gassie, Vitality Unit Staff Generalist
Roger Harris II, Operations Unit Staff Generalist
Jennifer Carter, President
Chief Mission Officer, Goodwill Industries of Central Texas
Kevin Cole, Immediate Past President
Attorney at Law, The Cole Law Firm
Jeff Gerber, Vice President
Retired Administrator
Sherry Blyth, Treasurer
Retired Administrator
Ashley Leonard, Secretary
Austin Clubhouse Member
Lori Azevedo, Member at Large
Senior Vice President of B2B Marketing, Kasasa
Brian Davis, Member at Large
Chief Clinical Officer, Arisa Health
Francesca Infurnari, Member at Large
Austin Clubhouse Member
Karen Ranus, Member at Large
Trauma Informed Program Administrator, Travis County Sheriff's Office
Tawny Smith, Member at Large
Medical Science Liason, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.)
Jennifer Troke, Member at Large
Vice President of Membership, Associate of Progressive Rental Association
We leave labels at the door.
The Clubhouse is a welcoming, nonjudgmental, safe place for adults with mental health diagnoses to reach their full potential. We’re a “strengths-based” organization that focuses on a person’s abilities and strengths to achieve their goals versus their weaknesses, diagnosis or disability.
Everyone has a role, and everyone belongs.
Membership at the Clubhouse is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has a mental health diagnosis and is following a treatment plan with a clinician. Membership at Austin Clubhouse is free, voluntary and life-long, and we’re open all major holidays. By participating in daily activities in our community, members regain self-worth, purpose and confidence.
Members and staff work side-by-side in all daily tasks and operations, and all involved find motivation in contributing to something bigger than themselves.
We hope you’ll come by for a tour or contact us for more information.
Austin Clubhouse is dedicated to the recovery of adults experiencing mental health illness by providing opportunities for our members to live, work, and learn, while contributing their talents through a community of mutual support.
Diversity, equity & inclusion commitment
Austin Clubhouse is an equal opportunity organization that seeks to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of the organization’s activities. In accordance with anti- discrimination law, Austin Clubhouse prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual and gender identity or expression, genetic status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We further abide by the City of Austin’s Second Chance employment ordinance to help ensure fair employment opportunities for job applicants who have been involved with the criminal justice system.
The policies and principles of equal opportunity, diversity, equity, and inclusion apply to members, who are free to participate in all Clubhouse activities and side-by-side work, without regard to skill or ability. They also apply to the selection and treatment of independent contractors, personnel working on our premises who are employed by temporary agencies, and any other persons or firms doing business for or with Austin Clubhouse.