veryqueersocialworker:
Hey everyone, I really feel like there are a lot of people on tumblr from NYC who might benefit from knowing about the existence of Rainbow Heights Club.
Rainbow Heights Club is a support and advocacy club for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning mental health consumers. We have support groups, a hot meal each day, and plenty socialization events like karaoke or a movie night. We are the only government funded program like this in the country for LGBTQ+ mental health consumers. People with mental illness tend to be socially isolated; Rainbow Heights Club can help combat that. It is a safe and affirming place for people to make friends, and devise their next steps in an environment of hope and recovery. Our members report 94% stay out of the hospital each year, thanks to the help and services we provide for them.
So basically the requirements for membership in the club are that you id as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you have been officially diagnosed with a mental illness, and you are currently in treatment. It’s located in Downtown Brooklyn, conveniently right by a whole lot of subway lines.
Rainbow Heights Club is the only government–funded psychosocial club and advocacy program for LGBTQ+ mental health consumers in the United States. Our mission is to bring innovative affirming and effective treatment and advocacy and support services to LGBTQ+ people living with mental illness provided in an atmosphere of hope recovery and partnership. We aim to provide a supportive, non-judgmental and empowering space where members can build community that is affirming of their emotional recovery and wellness. The club is based on a peer model, and peer staff members use their lived-experience as mental health consumers and their professional training to help other consumers. LGBTQ+ mental health consumers in partnership with staff have substantive, meaningful roles and leadership in the everyday running and programming of the club. We also strive to enhance the visibility of the plight, stigma and conditions that LGBTQ+ mental health consumers face. The Rainbow Heights Club believes in the right of self-determination and the potential of LGBTQ+ mental health consumers to be positive agents of change within their own lives, their communities and the world around them.
In other words it’s a place you can go and talk to other people like you. A place where you can have a free hot meal each day. A place where you can make friends, play games, and hopefully be safe.
Even if you don’t live in NYC or you don’t meet the qualifiers to become a member, maybe consider donating? The club is doing amazing work with the funding they have, but they are sadly understaffed right now, and can not raise the daily carfaire to meet the MTA’s current prices, due to budget constraints. And yes, our website is hilariously and laughably out of date. We honestly don’t have the funds needed to hire someone to update it for us.
Hey, NYC mentally ill queer folks! My friend works with this organization and they are AMAZING.