Our Speaker, Frank Kelton

Posted on Mar 05, 2019
 
John Boyd Introduces
Our Speaker
 
 
 
Our Speaker, Frank Kelton
 
 
 
Ken Moraes Thanks
Our Speaker

 

Club member John Boyd introduced our speaker Frank Kelton, Executive Director of Potential Place. Beginning with a series of statistics underscoring the impact of mental illness, our speaker went on to explain how Potential Place is a Clubhouse International accredited organization that provides opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education and access to medical and psychiatric services in a single caring and safe environment to people living with mental illness. Potential Place is part of a network of more than 290 Clubhouse International facilities in 32 countries.
 
The Clubhouse International model encompasses the following elements.
  • Programs are wellness and recovery based.
  • Programs are focused on member abilities.
  • Members and staff are colleagues.
  • Colleagues guide and support each other.
  • Meaningful work provides structure and purpose.
  • Employment is important to sustaining wellness.
  • Meaningful relationships and community are encouraged.
Simply stated, the Clubhouse International model is based on the philosophy that "work makes wellness". The Potential Place clubhouse model is based on an eight-hour work day that is designed to develop skills. Work assignments are coordinated through a number of units.
  • The Community Connections unit provides administrative support to the entire clubhouse, including administration, reception, membership services, housing, and matching members to employment.
  • The Marketing and Communications unit is responsible for communications to members, stakeholders and the general public.
Potential Place owns two apartment buildings in Calgary that provide affordable housing to members with chronic mental health challenges, and is working towards consolidating its operations in a single, larger location.
It also facilitates temporary opportunities through job placements with Calgary employers, and facilitates independent and supported employment of its members.
At the close of his remarks and answers to questions from the floor, Ken Moraes thanked our speaker.