About Austin Clubhouse

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.

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.

Diversity, equity & inclusion

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.

Board of Directors

Kevin Cole, President
Attorney at Law, The Cole Law Firm

Jeff Gerber, Vice President
Retired Administrator

Nivi Nityanand, Interim Treasurer
Former Dell Executive

Athena McClendon, Secretary
Austin Clubhouse Member

Sharmila Advani, Director
Strategic and Operational Consultant, Texas Tribune

Gayle Ayers, Director
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Neurology, Dell Medical School at UT Austin

Lori Azevedo, Director
Marketing & Business Consultant

Sherry Blyth, Director
Director of Crisis Services, Substance Use Treatment & Justice Initiatives, Integral Care

Jennifer Carter, Director
Vice President of Workforce Advancement, Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

Ashley Leonard, Director
Austin Clubhouse Member 

Tawny Smith, Director
Psychiatric Pharmacist, Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Dell Medical School at UT Austin