Daily Schedule
Typical Day at the Clubhouse
WELCOME to Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse. You can find many smiles every day at the Clubhouse that are sincere and genuine. The normal day begins at 9:15 am. Members can arrive as early as 8 am. A wide variety of transportation companies, personal and other specific companies carry us back and forth to and from the Clubhouse. On our arrival, we meet in the dining hall until our work unit meetings begin at 9:15. If you come on Fridays breakfast is provided at a reasonable price. There are also lockers for use upstairs and downstairs. All members use the elevator to go up and down. There is a nice ramp from the parking lot into the main back door and an electric door opener which makes it easier for everyone to come and go.
The day starts with a program meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays, otherwise we split into our unit meetings in order to volunteer for job tasks in the unit you sign up for. Here we offer a work day program with volunteer jobs in 3 units: Kitchen, Business, and Maintenance Units.
Kitchen Unit prepares lunch for all clubhouse members and staff. These are at the greatest price of $2.00.You get a drink, main course, side item, a salad, and a dessert. Now tell me where you can find a better deal. Our lunches are very good and good for you. We prepare everything from scratch. That way it is better for you than stuff out of a box or can.
Business Unit does all the office tasks needed to run the Clubhouse such as make and mail out newsletters, thank you notes, and birthday cards. They also answer the phone, take attendance, and collect the lunch money.
Maintenance Unit keeps the Clubhouse clean and in a sanitary working order. They also take care of the grounds around the house and keep the inside and outside looking nice every day.
All jobs are voluntary. You choose what you can do well or what you would like to learn. The Clubhouse helps members to obtain paying jobs. Even after you get a job you can come back at any time. You will always be a member of the Clubhouse.
In the afternoons we offer groups like adjustment and gratitude group, walk group (we also go to the park and play basketball), yoga, and Spanish class. Many members and staff speak Spanish here at the Clubhouse. We as well have game nights once a month and outings depending on likes and weather.
Here at the Clubhouse we have a great snack bar where you can get something to drink or to munch on. All of our snacks are good for you and very health conscious. Just to give you an idea of how the Clubhouse has helped people, I was in a wheelchair and am now walking even without a cane. A lot is because of the support of the Clubhouse.
We all welcome you to our family and hope you enjoy your time with us. Now if you have any questions, please ask. If I cannot answer it I am sure someone here can help you.
Marcus Baxley and Deborah Ann Wellbrock, 2008
Download Week at a Glance to see what our work ordered day, meals and meeting schedules look like. (PDF, 88 KB)
General Schedule
| Day | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| M – F8 – 9 a.m. | Members arrive | Get settled in, socialize, prepare for the work day |
| M, W, Th | Morning meeting | Work unit meeting, where members sign up to do the jobs needed to keep the Clubhouse going |
| T, F | Morning meeting | Program meeting, where the whole house gathers to talk about issues that affect everyone |
| M – F9:15 a.m. – noon | Work in the units | |
| M – FNoon – 1 p.m. | Lunch | |
| M – F | Work in the units | |
| Most days, 2-2:45 p.m. |
Various groups | Support group, exercise group, program issues discussion, education (e.g., computer usage, Spanish-English, brain behavior) |
| M – F | Members leave |
Testimonials
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Treat us like normal people! Don’t poke us. Don’t make fun of us. Try not to critique us. Don’t play loud and/or obnoxious music. Don’t run and scream. Try to be understanding. Let us live how we live.
Erin
Tips for Treating People with Brain Injury -
Just had to send you a note for sending Colleen our way. We have never had anybody as conscientious and dedicated to her work as Colleen. She is always on time and goes out of her way to accommodate others in the Office. Thanks for sending Colleen and the wonderful work done at Side By Side.
Candler Broom, CEO, Austin Brown Inc. -
The Clubhouse is a treasured and unusual resource. It provides experiences that I, as a professional, cannot. Working as part of a community, a person learns to value others, to value him or herself. The Clubhouse provides a safe and respectful space in which patients become people again.
Dr. M. Rusin, psychologist serving brain injured clients -
As regards staff and volunteers the Clubhouse offers a terrific opportunity for meaningful service to our fellow man. Families and society are well served when a member who was providing meaningful contributions to his family before his accident or set-back is re-empowered and regains his self worth.
Irvine, Clubhouse volunteer -
The Clubhouse produces winners on all sides. Those who provide service and those who receive service benefit from the Clubhouse. It provides a positive environment where every member is treated as an individual and where the member is invested in the therapy offered to get that member sufficiently functional for him to re-enter society as a functioning individual.
Irvine, Clubhouse volunteer -
Side By Side means so much to me and my family. As the wife of a member, I am so thankful for the role Side By Side plays in my husband’s continued growing and adapting to life with a brain injury. As a volunteer, my family is rewarded ten fold every time we do something for the clubhouse in smiles alone!
Laurie, wife of Clubhouse member -
Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse is a true gem within the field of rehabilitation and community support for adults with traumatic or acquired brain injury. Side by Side helps members regain their sense of self and move forward to become productive and contributing members of society, with the support, love and care of the other members, staff and volunteers, family members, and even the community.
Dr. D. Berens, rehabilitation consultant -
The Clubhouse has been a wonderful place for her to re-learn socialization skills that were lost due to her traumatic brain injury. The Clubhouse has been a lifesaver for my daughter.
Mother of a Clubhouse member -
My husband began attending Side by Side 1½ years ago, and after a long nine year journey with brain injury, Side by Side was a breath of fresh air. When he is helped, it benefits our whole family.
Wife of a Clubhouse member -
I found a place where I can belong. It means a lot to me to have friends, comrades who have been through similar experiences.
Richie, Clubhouse member
