Learning How to Fit In
by Margaret Cashill
On any given day, hundreds of thousands of people with mental illness are left homeless in our country, sleeping in the streets and eating from garbage cans. In Kansas City, people with mental illness have a place to turn. Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health’s New Frontiers (formerly known as the Clubhouse), a transitional life skills rehabilitation center located at 3121 Gilham Road, fosters an environment of mutual encouragement and offers opportunities for members to improve their life skills and learn how to blend into society.
Jane VanSant developed New Frontiers in 1981, and styled it after the Fountain House in New York City and Thresholds in Chicago. It was founded “out of a need for people with severe mental illnesses to learn social and vocational skills,” according to Debbie Bass, director of major gifts for the Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation.
Originally a program of Network Rehabilitation for People with Serious Mental Illnesses, New Frontiers was not affiliated with any hospital. It offered a haven for the mentally ill, a place they could go to become rehabilitated and eventually reintegrated with the community. Consumers of New Frontiers have illnesses ranging from schizophrenia to drug addiction to major depression.
The ultimate goal of New Frontiers is for people with mental illnesses to live productive lives in their communities,” said Sherri Redding, Manager of New Frontiers. “Many times, individuals use this program as a stepping-stone to employment or volunteer work in the community.” For example, New Frontiers teaches members how to grocery shop or how to use public transportation, goals easily achievable by citizens not afflicted by mental illnesses.
Crisis assistance, case management, employment services and rehabilitation all are provided. Members expect social and vocational training from an empathetic and educated staff. Informative activities consist of psychosocial rehabilitation groups dealing with anger management and men’s and women’s health.
Social functions include bingo, parties and volunteerism. Members give back to their community by volunteering at centers such as the Plaza Manor Senior Center, the Franklin Center and Harvester’s Food Pantry. Through these activities, members of New Frontiers emerge prepared to lead a successful and socially conscious existence.
New Frontier’s ultimate vision, however, is far from completion. The facility hopes to relocate to the Felix Building at 2211 Charlotte Street, where it will combine with TMC Hospital Hill. The centralized location will allow members easy access to medication, substance-abuse treatment, and employment and leisure services, all in one structure. To accomplish their goals, TMC Behavioral Health is recruiting a steering committee and trying to provoke interest from the public.
“It’s a great opportunity to increase awareness,” Bass says, “We’re looking forward to getting the com-munity more involved.”
Currently, the steering committee comprises several business leaders in Kansas City, including Bucky Brooks of First Scout Realty, Joe Hiersteiner of Seigfried, Bingham & Levy, Joe Weinrich of Levitt, Betzelberger & Weinrich and Bob Regnier of the Bank of Blue Valley.
“The hope and dream is to raise the money to refurbish the lower level of the 2211 Charlotte building,” Bass says. “We will double in size, increase prevocational services and centralize the location. At present, New Frontiers serves 100 people annually. We hope to serve 200 or more.”
A total renovation is necessary, in which the ground level of the future New Frontiers program will be demolished and 70 percent of the existing walls and ceilings will be replaced. Improvements will include a building brought to current codes and regulations, with new electrical branch circuits, kitchen electrical panels and fire sprinklers. Among many new features, New Frontiers will offer a mini-café, a computer lab, arts and activity room, handicapped accessible bathrooms and showers, and a confidential counseling area. In all, the project will cost $2,000,000.
To find out more about New Frontiers, or how you can contribute, contact Debbie Bass at the TMC Charitable Foundation at 816-404-3445.