Written by JCC Clubhouse member, Valerie Nechamkin
Job Connection Center Clubhouse (JCC) is a specialized program under AHRC New York City’s Employment and Business Services—Brooklyn that provides services to people with Dual Diagnosis and Mental illness 18 years and older. JCC Clubhouse offers the members a safe place to spend the day, build relationships, and receive assistance with their personal goals such as going back to school, socializing, or finding a job. Members of the Clubhouse participate on a voluntary basis and obtain a variety of services offered in the Clubhouse.
JCC Clubhouse is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, five days a week, and one Saturday per month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for recreational activities. It is also open on holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, to allow members who do not have extended families to celebrate to spend time with their peers.
Valerie Nechamkin, a JCC Clubhouse member, summarized the group’s first in-person event in nearly 18 months and provided her reflections on the reunion.
JCC Clubhouse members and staff had a picnic in Fort Greene Park on Saturday, July 31, 2021. After not meeting up in over a year due to the global pandemic, we had a great time at the picnic and were so happy to see each other again! I know that I was!
We also had the opportunity to meet new JCC staff and members, who were really nice and a great addition to our clubhouse. It was also a nice surprise to see our former clubhouse Social Worker, Guendalina at the picnic!
Ms. Blessing Nwulu, Clubhouse Director, ordered Chinese food for lunch, and all JCC Clubhouse members had the opportunity to decide on a dish that they wanted. Water and soda were served to us as refreshments. Cake, cookies and brownie bites for our dessert. Francisco was in charge of the music, and he played excellent songs!
