Kara

Empowering Others to Be Their Best Person

Kara doesn’t have X-ray vision, but she can see the potential inside people. Kara was a group home manager for many years and was tired of working 90-hour weeks. A friend told her about Goodwill’s A Place of Our Own Clubhouse that is actively supporting people living with the effects of mental illness, and it sounded perfect for her.

“I’m extremely passionate about Clubhouse,” says Kara. “Clubhouse is an intentional community. Its psychosocial rehab is one of the best programs out there because it stops isolation. It’s designed to help people be their best person. I’m in awe of our members.”

Clubhouse is all about transferable work skills. The members are involved in everything we do here. It’s their program. Kara says.

“We are here for members when they don’t have someone else. We are their family.”

The community was especially important during the pandemic. They delivered food to members who couldn’t get out. They made sure that they had the resources they needed—bus tickets, money, food, and toilet paper. “In the future, I want to see all our members come back from the pandemic. Once you’re a member, you’re always a member.” And once you’ve met Kara, you know you have a friend for life.

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