UP House
We are UP House: A strength-based, non-profit restorative community of people who have had their lives disrupted by mental health challenges, and we believe recovery and independence is possible.
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What is UP House
UP House is a community center in Montréal founded in 2010. The founders aimed to create a place that eliminates social isolation and rebuilds the confidence, purpose, and community of adults living with a serious mental illness. We are an evidence-based model referred to as a “Clubhouse,” and we are one of 320 clubhouses worldwide: the only clubhouse in Québec. The first clubhouse, Fountain House (New York) was established by John Beard in 1943.
Our Model of Success
Fundamental is our belief that everyone has strengths and that mobilizing and sharing strengths is the key to building hope and change. Clubhouses create opportunities for members to learn or practice skills to use towards their personal goals (such as returning to work or school or improving daily living skills), as well as provide assistance with services such as housing, food banks, health care, or employment.
Working together - staff and members
At UP House, members, and staff collaborate to help the
community run smoothly.
Members are involved in all aspects of decision-making at UP
House. Members and staff are part of a community where members
collaborate in various tasks and activities at their own pace,
entirely voluntarily, and based on their personal interests. No
experience is necessary.
Some of our workday tasks
Health and Nutrition
In the kitchen, members and staff work side by side - menu planning, grocery shopping, and preparing daily meals together. UP House ensures members have access to a variety of nutritious food which helps members develop and maintain healthy eating habits.
Administration
The administration's role is to help make sure that UP House stays organized. Members interested in administration enter data, create posters on the computer, work at the reception area, and take care of social media posts on Instagram and Facebook.
Community Volunteering
UP House works hard to deepen its connection with the community in Montréal. We partner with the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the Jewish General Hospital, Vanier College and McGill University where members actively participate in animating workshops, volunteering, and giving presentations.
Outreach
Making outreach calls helps members stay connected with each other and build a friendly community with the goal of reducing isolation.
Gardening
Taking care of plants and vegetables is a great way to spend time and learn gardening skills. We also have an indoor hydroponics garden where we plant seedlings and grow herbs for our kitchen.
Radio-Up Podcast
Radio UP is an online podcast station where members brainstorm meaningful topics and collaborate with staff to produce a podcast that is posted on the UP House website and on https://www.radio-up.org/
How does the day run at UP House?
UP House runs from 9 AM-3:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Members may arrive and depart at any time during opening
hours.
There are two check-in meetings - one at 9:30 AM and one at
1:00 PM.
These are quick meetings where announcements
are made, the day’s tasks are discussed, and members choose
what areas they would like to participate in.
Attending the daily check-in meetings can help structure the
day and may be beneficial to new members. There is also a
weekly schedule that describes each day’s programming.
How does someone become a member at UP House?
A potential member, a family member, or a professional may call
UP House to book a tour and ask questions. The tour gives the
potential new member a clearer idea of what happens at UP House
and the collaborative environment it offers.
To become a member, you must:
- Be over 18 years old.
- Have a history of living with mental illness.
- Be receiving ongoing support from a mental health team.
- Have no active problem with alcohol, drug use, or violent behaviour.
Partnerships
Academic Partnerships
UP House partners with academic students from McGill University and Vanier College. Students from Special Care Counseling, Dietetics, and Occupational Therapy have internship opportunities at UP House. These internships allow for the continuous enrichment of our programmes.
Community Partnerships
UP House is part of an important network of community and government organizations that give support and provide services to people living with mental illness in the Greater Montréal Area.
UP House is largely funded and supported by donors through Urban Pardes, a Canadian registered charity. Urban Pardes produces the annual Au Contraire Film Festival on mental health as an advocacy and fundraising vehicle.
We are grateful for the continued support of the PROGRAMME DE SOUTIEN AUX ORGANISMES COMMUNAUTAIRES (PSOC).
Have Any Questions?
Please reach out to us for any additional information or if you'd like to schedule a visit.