The Village Vibe Expanding Employment Opportunities
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The Village Vibe
Expanding Employment Opportunities
Village Clubhouse continues to provide employment opportunities to all members through transitional em-
ployment, supported employment, and independent employment. We are excited to announce the devel-
opment of two additional Transitional Employment placements. We have partnered with The Duck and the
Independence Association. Over the last several months, the Clubhouse has supported fifteen members
obtain meaningful employment. Colleagues have started working part-time and full time positions. We
would also like to extended congratulations to all of our members who were successful on obtaining em-
ployment opportunities . Pictured below is Tad working his new SE at Hannaford, Gavin working the new-
est TE placement at Independence Association and Jay celebrating his new SE at Assistance Plus. We are
so excited for all of our colleagues who began working over the last quarter. If you are thinking about em-
ployment, but are unsure how to begin please check in with Village Clubhouse staff.
Building Renovations
We have been busy at the Village Clubhouse making improvements to our Clubhouse. We are excited that
our building is even more accessible to our differently abled colleagues and that we have increased our over-
all capacity. We have taken down walls to allow for better air circulation and improved side-by-side work
capabilities. We will be able to provide an even safer work environment with the addition of air filters
throughout our building, providing clean air free of viruses. We have also constructed raised beds and plant-
ed bulbs to greet visitors in the front of our building. We have also installed an automatic door opener. If
you haven’t been the Clubhouse in awhile, pop in and check out all of the amazing updates!
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Celebrating Working Members in Transitional Employment
Ryan Lynch Victoria Molta Joshua Ouellette Anthony Braley
Tom Whittingham Gavin Munsey Krista Hodsdon
Continuing Education
Going back to school sure seems different these days.
Different, doesn’t always need to mean bad. We are
celebrating all of our colleagues pursuing education.
Our members are learning to improve their reading,
writing, and math skills. We even have a colleague
going to college! If you’re interested in going back to
school but not sure how to begin the process, stop by
the Clubhouse and start the conversation.
Wellness
The Clubhouse continues to promote wellness in our daily routines. We are
fortunate to have so many community partners to help us achieve and maintain
our wellness goals.
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Employment Fund Updates
We have been so fortunate to be the recipient of several donations to our employment fund. We would like
to extend our thanks to our donors: Anchor Nutrition, Hannah Corkum, and the Margaret E. Burnham
Charitable Trust. Thanks to their contribution, we have received a total of $2575! These funds will go
directly to helping the members of Village Clubhouse reduce or eliminate barriers to employment. If you
would like to donate to the Village Clubhouse Employment Fund, please reach out to Candy Lessard at
(207) 837-6260.
Village Clubhouse Media Department
Village Clubhouse has purchased video making and editing equipment to expand our Work Ordered Day
tasks. Our Membership Services Unit have been learning to edit vid-
eos and photos on our new software. Village
Clubhouse is going to start sharing our vide-
os on our Facebook. If you haven’t followed
us yet, you totally should! We can’t wait to
share all of the awesome talent the Club-
house has to offer with the world. Keep an
eye on our Facebook and young adult Insta-
gram pages for more updates and videos. If
you’re interested in being part of our media program we’d welcome your ideas
and talent.
Young Adults Happenings
The Young Adult Committee has been
working on so many projects since it’s
inception. They have activated an
Instagram @VillageClubhouse_ya
Follow us to keep updated with all of
the YA happenings at Village
Clubhouse. The young adult committee
is hosting a monthly extended evening program to benefit the broader Club-
house community. We would also like to extend our congratulations to Joyelle
Webster and John Russell for graduating High School this year!
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Community Partner Highlight
We have partnered with Goodwill in Topsham, Maine. Goodwill has provided work opportunities for four
of our members in the Transitional Employment program and two in a Supported Employment position.
Melissa Smith-Blake, General Manager, has embraced the Clubhouse Model and has proven to be a true
supporter for all of those seeking to build a better life. Melissa and her team have been welcoming to Club-
house members and job coaches; making everyone feel like part of the Goodwill family.
National Conference 2020 Goes Virtual
We were so honored to join the
National Conference hosted by
Clubhouse International. This year’s
conference was held virtually due to
the Covid-19 world-wide pandemic.
This new platform allowed all of our colleagues to join the workshops and trainings. While we missed
meeting everyone face-to-face this year, it was a truly a great opportunity to open this conference up to the
greater Village Clubhouse community. Our colleagues participated in two half day trainings focusing on
building a virtual work ordered day, expanding employment opportunities, and tracking data in a virtual
world. Village Clubhouse was excited to hear the stories of how other Clubhouses have stayed connected
using Facebook, Zoom, and other social media platforms. The chance to feel connected to our National
community is something that will not be soon forgotten.
Advisory Board Updates
We would like to welcome Tanna Whitman, Attorney with the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein as our advi-
sory board chair. Tanna Whitman graduated from Middlebury College and has
a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin-
Madison. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2001,
and has since been admitted to practice law in Minnesota, Washington and
Maine. After law school Tanna served as law clerk to the Federal Magistrate in
Duluth, Minnesota. There she spent a large portion of her time reviewing ap-
peals from unfavorable Social Security Disability decisions and preparing draft
orders for the magistrate's review. Tanna then joined a Duluth plaintiff's firm practicing mainly in the are-
as of workers' compensation and personal injury. After working out of the Portland office of the Law
Office of Joe Bornstein, her husband's military transfer took her back to her home state of Washington
where for three years she worked in personal injury law firms. She has now returned to Maine and to the
Law Office of Joe Bornstein, and her areas of focus are personal injury law and crashworthiness
claims. Tanna works out of the firm's Portland Office. Tanna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
We are fortunate to have her join our team. Welcome Tanna!!!!
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San Antonio and Village Clubhouse
Village Clubhouse was lucky enough to host visiting colleagues from San Antonio Clubhouse in May! We
had the pleasure of spending the day with Will and Johnny learning about how Texas does Clubhouse. Our
colleagues were most excited to learn about their hydroponic farming unit. We absolutely loved connecting
with another Clubhouse and expanding our community.
Creating Change Through Community
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Advisory Board Upcoming Events
Weekly Gleaner Produce Delivery every Monday
Candy Lessard– Director
Extended Evening Programs scheduled every
Amanda Kinsey– Assistant Director Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Clubhouse International Virtual Conference 2021
Tanna Whitman– Attorney for the Law Offices
Village Clubhouse Accreditation in October
of Joe Bornstein– Board Chair
Brandi Farrington– Administrator of
Community Support Services, KBH
Kevin Jones– General Manager of Old Navy,
Freeport, Maine
Giff Jamison– Program Director of Tedford
Shelter
Melissa Winchester– CMS Supervisor, Sweeter
Tad Stride- Peer Support Specialist, Sweetser
Brandy Thomas– Member of VCH
Krista Hodsdon– Member of VCH
Hayley Smith Rose– Radio Personality and
Host of Hot Radio Maine 104.7
Village Clubhouse Statistics
Total Active Membership: 57
Average Daily Attendance: 25
Young Adults: 15
Members Engaged in Continuing Education: 6
Members Engaged in Wellness: 57
Members Working Transitional Employment: 7
Members Working Supported/ Independent
Employment: 13
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