Touchstone Services Inc.
HISTORY
Touchstone Services, Inc. was organized in July 1996. The first program served by this agency was a psychosocial rehabilitation clubhouse program for Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health Services Board, called the Opportunity Center. The Blue Water Clubhouse program in St. Clair County was the second psychosocial program of this agency and opened in August 1999. In 2008, Touchstone Services became the auspice agency for Fresh Start Clubhouse in Ann Arbor of Washtenaw County in Michigan. Sadly, the Integrity Clubhouse in Yale closed its doors in 2008, but most of the members transferred to the Blue Water Clubhouse in Port Huron, Michigan.
MISSION
To provide a supportive environment where individuals can succeed in their recovery through the promotion of skills, perseverance, a feeling of confidence, respect, and a sense of accomplishment in their endeavors.
PURPOSE
The purpose of Touchstone Services, Inc. is to provide assistance and support to encourage recovery and community integration for individuals with psychiatric, developmental, substance abuse and/or co-occurring disabilities. This assistance may include, but is not limited to, rehabilitation services such as vocational, recreational, educational, physical, psychosocial support, housing, transportation, counseling and assistance in community living.
Agency Purposes include:
- Providing a supportive environment which enables individuals whose lives have been interrupted by a psychiatric, developmental, substance abuse and/or co-occurring disability to develop skills and abilities toward greater independence
- Recognizing under-utilized potential in members
- Facilitating an increased sense of self-confidence
- Facilitating peer-supported relationships
- Offering a variety of vocational, educational, counseling, ordered-day, and social services from which individuals can choose
- Empowering individuals toward increased self-determination
- Combating stigma and stereotype by presenting a positive image in the community
VISION
Touchstone Services, Inc. will be a source of high quality psychosocial services promoting rights,
responsibilities, and opportunities for the individuals served to reach their highest potential.
WHAT IS A CLUBHOUSE?
~ Touchstone Services, Inc. offers psychosocial rehabilitative clubhouse services,
vocational services, person-centered planning facilitation, psychological services,
supports coordination, recipient rights consultation, independent advocacy,
substance abuse services, and educational presentations.
~ The Clubhouse provides an environment where every individual can succeed through
the promotion of skills, perseverance, a feeling of confidence, respect, and a sense of
accomplishments in their endeavors.
~ The Clubhouse provides a place for people to attend and in a safe and comfortable
environment develop, build, and maintain skills that encourage independence.
~ The work-ordered day is the primary component of the clubhouse program. It
allows for opportunities for members to regain confidence, a sense of purpose
and self-respect. It is comprised of activities necessary for the operation of the
program and is carried out in units.
~ Our units include food service, maintenance, business, member services, and
accounting.
~ Our facilities are purposely understaffed, to promote member participation for the
effective functioning of the clubhouse.
~ Our staff and members work side by side in all functions of the Club.
ESSENTIALS OF A CLUBHOUSE...
The Clubhouse provides a sense of community, security, and stability to people who have often been denied this in their lives.
~Participation is always voluntary and without dues.
~Membership is open to anyone recovering from a mental illness and who is authorized by the Thumb Alliance Access center.
~The relationship between staff and members is one of mutual respect to encourage confidence and self value.
~Members have equal access to Club activities regardless of level of functioning and/or diagnosis.
~The Clubhouse offers acceptance and support.
~The focus is on a member's strengths, talents, skills, and abilities.
