July 21, 2008 – On a hillside overlooking Charlotte Amalie harbor, people are planning a luncheon, opening a thrift shop, cleaning the patio, picking up a few mangoes and preparing for the 10 a.m. daily meeting.
It's a normal business day at the Clear Blue Sky clubhouse, or it would be if the agency weren't also preparing to receive a $50,000 check from Sen. Louis Patrick Hill, the first installment of a $100,000 Senate appropriation.
At an April 21 public forum to acquaint the medical profession with the program, Arlene Monaghan, program director, appealed to the medical community, the government and the community for financial, in-kind and volunteer assistance. (See "Program Fosters Mental Wellness with Self-Worth, Work-Ordered Day.")
Hill's office took note. On May 21, he received the support of his colleagues for a $100,000 appropriation for the program. Gov. John deJongh Jr. approved the appropriation and by July 11, he had a check for half the amount in his hands. The second half should be coming by September, Colette Monroe, Hill's chief of staff, said.
Without a lot of pomp, but with lots of gratitude Monaghan received the $50,000 check Monday morning. Monaghan is an exceptionally focused person; she gets things done. She is also highly organized. She is also charming, easily pulling friends and family to happily volunteer at the clubhouse.
In fact, Luz Moron, says she is a "volunteer" board member, an unusual distinction. Board chair Bob Kirkpatrick says he pulled her in with little effort. Algernon Allen, Monaghan's brother, is the staff photographer. Monaghan's sister, Ausselita de Freitas, is busy organizing the morning meeting of staff and members.
Monaghan stresses everybody is on the same level. "We have no hierarchy," she says. "We all work together."
That work is providing a meeting place, a clubhouse, five days a week for mentally challenged persons. Monaghan is working toward becoming a full-fledged member of the International Center for Clubhouse Development, (ICCD). There are more than 400 ICCD-affiliated clubhouses worldwide, but none in the Caribbean.
What the clubhouse provides cannot be obtained from medications, or from doctor's visits – friendship, a sense of belonging, something to do all day, a place to learn to live with others.
"It is as an alternative to the revolving door of institutionalization," Monaghan says. "It provides a place for those released from hospitalization, but perhaps not ready to be alone in an unforgiving world."
It is a highly structured program. Every morning at 10, staff and members sit down together to plan the day's activities. Assignments are given out: kitchen preparation, thrift store sales, phone answerer, someone to man the canteen where snacks are for sale, to name a few. The idea is to learn practical skills to apply in the working world.
Monaghan says her interest in helping mentally challenged began years ago when a family member was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she observed his successfully dealing with his disease.
After Monaghan contacted the ICCD about her program, they offered a one-week scholarship in their training program. One of the stipulations for being a part of the ICCD program required that she could no longer live in the clubhouse facility.
"It was move out or get another location," Monaghan said, "We had no budget, so I moved into an apartment in my sister's home."
The home, which Monaghan lived in for about three decades, is cheery, immaculate, and highly organized. . A beautifully tended courtyard filled with fruit trees, plants and flowers greets one upon entering. Adjacent to the front door is the facility's thrift shop. Inside is an office with three computers, a kitchen with bright gingham curtains, a lounge and a meeting room.
The thrift shop boasts an eclectic mix of elegant to casual clothing, to say nothing of paintings, books and china. It's open 10 a.m to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Monaghan also manages an assisted care facility, Karen's House, which opened last September. It is the first such facility in the territory. It is a transitional facility that provides housing for members with mental illnesses. Its goal is to prepare residents to learn how to care for a home, shop for daily goods, find and maintain regular employment, manage their finances, pay bills on time, keep their medical and psychiatric appointments, socialize and form relationships.
Monaghan is always in need of volunteers. She can be reached at 774-9668. The website is www.cbsvi.org .
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