A Pathway to Living

Bernard Rice, of Reynoldsburg, works at Victory Fitness Center. He takes weekend trips. He lives in his own apartment. Bernard also has schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia, a mental disorder that causes a disruptive thought process, affects two million Americans. There are varying degrees of the disease; however, through medication, many affected people are able to become valuable, productive members of society.

Bernard is a regular at The Pathway Clubhouse, a division of ADAMH-funded Columbus Area, Inc. The Pathway Clubhouse, a mental health facility that provides psychosocial activities and practical skills training for its consumers, treats many people just like Bernard. The Pathway Clubhouse serves more than 250 people with mental illnesses — of those members, more than 90 are involved in some type of paid community employment like Bernard.

Due to his support and experiences at The Pathway Clubhouse, Bernard was recognized as "Employee of the Year" at Victory Fitness Center and "Mr. USA" at The Pathway Clubhouse in 2002. Chuck Shelton, manager of The Pathway Clubhouse, explained that Bernard's strong work ethic and constant willingness to help others contributed to his recognition.

"Bernard is always willing to help during his time at The Pathway Clubhouse," Shelton explained. "We know that, no matter what, we can count on him."

Not only does Bernard lend a helping hand, he also is known to be the clubhouse's most reliable listener. "It seems like Bernard is there to cheer someone up and offer them some encouragement," Shelton added.

Eight years ago, Bernard, along with sister Marilyn, chose The Pathway Clubhouse after touring several mental health facilities in Central Ohio.

"Out of all the places I visited, The Pathway Clubhouse had the nicest people and more things for me to do," Bernard said.

"The Pathway Clubhouse has allowed Bernard to learn real-life activities," Marilyn agrees. "The workers were more active with the consumers and there was a sense that everyone wanted to help each other." She explained that, compared to The Pathway Clubhouse, other mental health facilities acted more as a daycare center, while the Pathway Clubhouse offers education programs and skills training courses each and every day with hands-on Pathway Clubhouse workers.

Marilyn is a resident of central Ohio and regular attendee of the Columbus Christian Center with Reverend David Forbes. She brought Bernard to Ohio eleven years ago in order to care for him on a daily basis. Until last year, Bernard lived in Marilyn's home. Due to the help he has received from The Pathway Clubhouse, Bernard is now self-sufficient enough to live on his own.

The combination of regularly scheduled social activities, along with programs teaching such subjects as medication intake and how to overcome personal disabilities, has acclimated Bernard into everyday life. He works daily, taking the COTA bus to and from work, votes in each election with the help of his sister, and lives on his own in an apartment that is part of a group home.

The Pathway Clubhouse mission is based on the premise that its consumers can become involved at their own pace. "We don't want to force someone to do anything they aren't ready to do," Shelton said. "Anyone can attend the various social activities and programs we offer, choosing to participate when they are comfortable."

Teresa Conley, vocational coordinator at The Pathway Clubhouse, added that the clubhouse model used at The Pathway Clubhouse offers flexible programming so that each consumer is treated as an individual. "There are different units in which people can become involved based on their skills. As they progress, the skills they learn can then be transferred to a job in the community, just as Bernard has done during his time here."

"ADAMH is proud to support programs like The Pathway Clubhouse, which instills confidence in its consumers and teaches practical skills for people like Bernard," ADAMH CEO David Royer said.

The Pathway Clubhouse, located on the corner of East Broad Street and Champion Avenue in downtown Columbus, is a psychosocial rehabilitation program for mental health consumers and is the only such service available in Franklin County. For more information, contact The Pathway Clubhouse at 614-251-7820.

ADAMH is Franklin County's authority for planning, funding and evaluating mental health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment services. ADAMH-funded services are provided by a local network of not-for-profit providers and offered on a sliding-fee scale, making them affordable for any County resident, regardless of income.