FAQ

A Clubhouse is a place where people belong-a place where people with brain injuries come to be productive and enjoy contributing to a common cause. If people want to learn work skills and get a job in the community Side by Side can help.

The Clubhouse model began in 1948 when some people with psychiatric disabilities gathered together to support each other. They got some help to develop a program to keep them busy and productive, help them work, live independently, get some education, and socialize with each other. Now there are over 300 Clubhouses around the world, but less than 30 of them focus on people with brain injuries.

In the early 1990s, Cindi Johnson and Mike McCord were known to the brain injury community as therapists and co-directors of Camp Hargrove of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia. They had a desire to create a place for people with brain injuries to come every weekday where they can belong, contribute, be accepted and appreciated; have responsibility and control over their daily lives – and to feel good about themselves while doing it!

Shepherd Center and Emory Healthcare, Cindi’s and Mike’s employers, agreed to sponsor the startup of Side by Side Clubhouse in July 1999. Both facilities are committed to helping people with brain injuries be as successful as possible throughout their lives, long after rehabilitation has ended. Side by Side Clubhouse opened as a not-for-profit charitable organization in March 2000 with 3 members and 3 staff in Decatur Georgia. While Mike has moved on from Side by Side, the other two founding staff are still with us.

The program follows a work-ordered day. The members do everything that must be done to run the Clubhouse each day. For example, we need to answer the phone, deposit lunch money in the bank, advocate for ourselves in the community, and know where the jobs are and how to get them, learn jobs and keep them… We also need to pay the bills, eat lunch, clean and maintain the Clubhouse… you get the idea.

Yes, there are a few staff, just enough to guide the members in deciding how to make sure Side by Side Clubhouse runs smoothly. The staff are not there to give individualized physical assistance or “do therapy”. Staff are available to work side by side with members to complete the “work” of the Clubhouse. Staff will also help members get, learn, and keep jobs in their community. There is about one staff for every six Clubhouse members.

No, members are not paid, just like they wouldn’t be paid for their efforts in another “club”. Members are assisted and encouraged to secure employment in the community and often return to Side by Side for support.

Yes, there is a daily charge to attend Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse. Discounts are offered as available to help those who cannot pay the full fee. Side by Side Clubhouse is a non-profit organization, so it only needs to cover the costs of operating the Clubhouse itself. Therefore the cost of membership is minimal. Some members’ fees are paid by Worker’s Compensation Carriers; Department of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation Program; or the Independent Care Waiver Program of Medicaid. If you will be paying membership fees yourself, ask for a Private Payment form.

If you want to be part of a dynamic club where you help make decisions and carry out everything to keep it going, Side by Side may be right for you. If you need a place to “fit in”, or want help getting back to work, the Clubhouse may be a good option. If you are independent with your assistive devices (things that help with toileting, walking, eating, taking medicine, etc) or have someone to help you with those things, you will do fine at the Clubhouse. You also must be able to control your behavior so that you are not a threat to yourself or anyone in the Clubhouse.

Members may attend Side by Side Clubhouse from 9:00-3:00, Monday thru Friday. Members are responsible for their own transportation and can come as often as they want.

Side by Side Clubhouse is located at 1001 Main Street Stone Mountain, GA 30083. It is a few blocks away from the 4th Street and Manor Dr stop off of the 118 and 120 MARTA buses. The phone number is (770) 469-9355.

You need to have a system to take your own medicine while at the clubhouse. Some members use alarm watches or medicine boxes. You also need to monitor your own dietary needs. We try to have nutritious, delicious lunches with a sugar-free dessert alternative. Be sure to always let us know anytime your medications change even if you don’t take them while at the clubhouse.

Call us at (770) 469-9355 or e-mail us at virginia@sidebysideclubhouse.org, or check out our website at www.sidebysideclubhouse.org