The Arrowhead Clubhouse Society opened its doors to elected officials from the District of Sechelt on May 2 for the organization's first-ever Local Government Day.
"You own it; we hope you're proud of it," director and past-president Brian Smith told Mayor John Henderson and councillors Alice Lutes and Darnelda Siegers during a quick tour of the facility.
Located at the southeast corner of Inlet and Dolphin, the former RCMP property was transferred to the District about three years ago under a divestiture agreement with Ottawa, and the building was extensively renovated.
"We're now in our third year of being open here, and I think it's fair to say we couldn't be more pleased with how far we've come and what has occurred in those years," said society president Adele Koyanagi.
The clubhouse, a members-only gathering place for adults with mental illness, has been in existence for about 20 years, making its prior home in a nearby rented building.
"This is not a drop-in centre. It's a clubhouse that runs on what we call the work-ordered day. You could look at it as a pre-pre-employment program," Koyanagi said.
Operating four days a week from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the clubhouse "above all is a very human place," society vice-president Hugh Macaulay said.
"The doors open. The coffee gets made. Garbage that's there gets thrown out. The food smells start happening and really the morning proceeds. People drift in, sit down, and when stuff needs to get done, it gets done," Macaulay said. "The day is really about opening the place up, making it available for fellowship, companionship and our lunch, and then closing it down. And that's a typical day around here."
Macaulay made it clear who was running things.
"The staff think they run it, but they're mistaken. The members run it," he said.
The limited hours of operation, Smith told the guests, are determined by funding.
"We get about $100,000 a year thanks to B.C. Housing and to the eight units that we have behind us. That money is to support the eight residents of that facility. But it also allows us to support the 90 members who are part of the clubhouse," Smith said.
Commending the District for its past support, Smith asked the trio of politicians to back the society's request for funding from Vancouver Coastal Health and the province's gaming branch.
"We have ongoing discussions with both right now and we're hoping that we're going to be successful. But we're asking for your support," he said.
Koyanagi said one of the keys to Arrowhead's success in recent years was forming a partnership with Sunshine Coast Community Services Society. "They have been outstanding," she said.
The club is also a member of the International Centre for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), a worldwide organization that started in 1948 in New York City.
"Our hope is that in the next three years we will become fully accredited under the ICCD model, which means we will be seen as an equally running organization out of approximately 350 clubhouses across the world," Koyanagi said.
"It means our members will be able to travel if they wish to do so to other clubhouses and be welcomed with open arms as equal members from Sechelt."
Koyanagi said members are excited about becoming part of a global clubhouse network.
"It's going to be work, but none of us - members, board members, staff - are shy about working," she said. "And I think that's what makes this clubhouse very strong and makes it a vital part of the community."
