Beach House

Beach House (BH) is an intentional community first organized in December 1979 to provide support and rehabilitation to adults who have been severely disabled due to serious and persistent mental illness.  This intentional community is a prevocational psychiatric rehabilitation program anchored in the philosophically based conceptual framework of the Clubhouse Model of Psychiatric Rehabilitation.  This model is defined by the International Standards of Clubhouse Programs.  The standards also serve as a "bill of rights" for members and a code of ethics for staff, board and administrators.  

 

In order to become a member one must have a referral from a case manager, doctor or other service provider.  One would then come in for an interview to determine whether or not one was eligible for our services.

 

Beach House is an empowering clubhouse community providing the highest quality psychiatric rehabilitation services, enhancing the quality of life and community integration of its members, and promoting personal dignity and independence.  We want to stress the voluntary nature of the clubhouse, and that one is free to come and go as they please, and to decide how they wish to utilize their time at the clubhouse.  Members and staff members work side by side to complete the unit activities that keep the clubhouse running smoothly.  Our focus is on developing employment and promoting the development of relationships through active involvement in the work ordered day activities of the clubhouse.  Members need to be actively involved in the development of service plan goals, and continue to work on these goals throughout their time at Beach House. 

 

1.  Clerical Services Unit- Clerical activities include; publishing a daily and monthly newsletter, photocopying of mail and maintaining the mail room, telephone reception, shredding, processing of travel vouchers, daily processing of attendance data, formulating a monthly attendance report, front desk reception, ordering and distributing office supplies for the house, maintaining personnel information, maintaining the Beach House Thrift Store Account, facilitating repairs for the house, checking courier mail daily, distributing faxes, updating and maintaining med sheets, maintaining the Beach House database, developing and disseminating reports monthly, researching community resources, ensuring network coordination and overseeing vehicle maintenance. 

 

2.  Retail Unit- Retail Unit activities include: procurement of donations for the Beach House Thrift Store, scheduling of donations pick up in the community, counting Thrift Store money, processing of thank you letters for donations, daily operation of the Thrift Store, Beach House custodial supplies inventory, overseeing of the Beach House Health and Safety training, tours of Beach House and coordination all visitors, intake and orientation for new members and coordination of Eastern State Hospital visits.  If you are interested in making a donation, Please call 757-385-6946.  Through these donations members are able to have clothing to wear to work and bicycles to get them there.  If also provides furniture for their homes as well as electric appliances. 

 

3.  Food Services Unit activities include:  Providing a meaningful work-ordered day experience through the daily operation of the kitchen, snack bar and completion of other activities.  We are dedicated to preparing and providing nutritious lunches in a timely manner, in an environment of unity and cooperation between staff and members of Beach House. 

 

4.  CORE unit (Community Opportunities through Recreation, Education and Employment) activities include the coordination of recreational and social activities and transportation for evening and weekend programs, solicitation of complimentary tickets and volunteers for these recreational activities and coordination of the Beach House educational services.  Coordination of Transitional Employment positions and the process of referrals and coordination with the Department of Rehabilitative Services for members also is the responsibility of this unit. 

 

TEP is a part-time, staff-supported employment program, which enables members to develop their work habits and build self-confidence in a normal community work environment.  Beach House staff provide members with onsite training, support, & back-up services. 

 

Members are assisted to get full or part time, independent employment in a field chosen by the member and without time limits.  Beach House can refer members to the Department of Rehabilitative Services to obtain employment services.  TEPs help members to get ready for independent or supported employment. 

 

Beach House works with the Tidewater Literacy Council (TLC) to assist individuals who are interested in developing their literacy skills and obtaining their GED.  Members help other members to achieve this through the coordination of the program and becoming tutors.  Other tutors are sought through the general community.  The Administrative Assistant coordinates the Educational Program with the assistance of the Educational Monitors. 

 

In an attempt to further enhance the member's quality of life and community integration; Beach House operates a comprehensive recreational program, which is primarily in the evenings on weekends.  The recreational program will attempt to structure its program according to the needs and desires of the membership as a whole.  Some activities will be free of charge, while others will have a cost to participate. All activities will focus on improving the member's quality of life, community integration, good mental​ and physical health, and diversity.  Some activities have included:  ballgames, movies, museums, putt-putt, etc.

 

The Social Program provides members opportunities to socialize in the clubhouse after hours during the week & on Saturdays.  This program encourages building better relationships between members and/or staff.  The Social Program offers arts & crafts, board games, card tournaments, dancing, exercise, movies, and many other activities, which help members to explore talents and hobbies.  Each month there is an evening Social Program activity. 

 

This meeting is on Wednesday evenings and for those members who need help conquering any type of addiction.  Its' mission is to be clean, sober and addiction free through education and support from others in recovery. 

 

Thank you for visiting our site, if you would like to come in for a tour, please call 757-385-6946.