I applied and got accepted at Carriage House in my city. 
That means that I have an approved mental illness (or that I’m certifiable) . 😉 Well, yay for that. Since the weather got cold I’ve been isolating myself a lot and the more you do it, the harder it is to get back out there again. Today was my first day there although I did go as a guest on Thanksgiving.
“Carriage House is a certified ‘Clubhouse Model’ program with the singular mission of assisting people in their recovery from mental illness and reintegration into the community.”
I most definitely need some reintegrating so this should help. I just got back from 6 hours there. They offer multitudes of services (like free eye exams and glasses) and members basically do the work to keep the place running whether it be kitchen help, orientation or my fav, computer work. Also they have super cheap yummy lunches and that’s great because I’m getting sick of bologna sandwiches. I was inputting data into various spreadsheets and I’m already trying to convert them to a more efficient mysql database. They also can possibly help you find a job or temporary jobs. I’m not ready for that but if I consider them a job and get into the habit of going there on a regular basis, it will be a good start. So basically, I’ll be paying $10 a month to a place to let me work for them for nothing! lol
Seriously, I’m impressed with the amount of help out there that I knew nothing about. Also, I can go and know I’m hanging around people very much like me and it’s a lot less intimidating than most anywhere else I go. Oh, and they gave me a food voucher which will help a lot since I lost all my fridge stuff when the power was out, not to mention the cost of the motel rooms and furnace repairs. This winter broke me.
I’m feeling very encouraged and hopefully I’ll get more comfortable with this whole socializing thing. Everyone there was welcoming, friendly and non-judgemental. You have no idea how nice that is! Not that I really have judgemental people in my life anymore (to any great extent) but the scars are still there and probably will be for life. A big thank you to my friend Deb for making it happen. You rock! 😀
That is fantastic! I understand how it can be so difficult to get out and socialize. I am so glad that you have a resource like that near you and that you are able to make good use of it. I am impressed that it has such a diversity of services. It is great that it has everything from food to work to social interaction. I know that you have had a rough winter. It is about time you got a break and support.
Thank you for all of the support you have given me.
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It’s a great place and it offers tons of various kinds of help. Now if it would just warm up enough for me to venture out again! (was -17 this yesterday morning)
I had to chuckle picturing you at their computer station, improving and enhancing their network. I have no doubt you could overhaul it and make them forever grateful.
Meanwhile, good for you — seeking help and giving help. Finding a “safe” place to rebuild whatever you feel is broken.
You’ve had a horrendous winter, my friend, and just having a non-intimidating, non-judging environment to “hang out in” has to be uplifting for you.
God bless…
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I’m back — I just visited Carriage House online, and I’m impressed. With how it looks, sure, but also with the work they do and have done. (I still think you will be as much an asset to them as they will be to you.)
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Thanks Barb, I think it’s a great place, not sure why my therapist never recommended it to me. I think all of the people in my new advanced DBT group go there. Hopefully it’s getting warmer, I stayed in all week. I’d like to get back there. I can’t see driving around in that kind of insane cold with my junky car.
My daughter has a “club house” that she goes to daily (right next door to her duplex even). The socializing she gets to do there is very valuable for her. They also take anyone who attends and wants to go to the library weekly, a coffee shop and some other outings here and there which is nice.
I wish mine was that close! Then I’d have no excuse. They have outings too, like this weekend they were going sledding, but not me! Still I think it’ll be really good for me 😉