Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Curt Ritter (212) 788-2971
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today proclaimed May 12th Fountain House 50th Anniversary Day in New York City during a gala dinner celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Fountain House. The Mayor also paid tribute to two of the founding families of Fountain House, the Richards and the Schermerhorns, and to the Dowling, Hinrichs, Scott, van Ameringen and Wilson-Fromson families who have provided multigenerational support on the Board of Directors and the Council for Education, Training and Research.
The Mayor was joined at the Waldorf-Astoria by Fountain House Board of Directors President Anette Hoegh Goelet, Fountain House Executive Director Kenn Dudek, Fountain House Member Kathleen Rhoads and Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron. Musical entertainment for the evening was provided by Peter Duchin and his Orchestra.
"Fountain House, an organization that is defined by its caring and compassion, has been helping New Yorkers help themselves for the past 50 years," said Mayor Giuliani. "It was originally created in 1948 by volunteers and former patients of a state psychiatric institution as a 'clubhouse' to provide support in the community to people with mental illnesses.
"Over the years, Fountain House has grown and added much needed services to meet the needs of its members," the Mayor continued. "Each year almost 1,300 adults ranging in age from 18 to 90 come to Fountain House for compassionate support and assistance with housing, transitional and full-time employment, and educational programs. I want to thank the Richard, Schermerhorn, Dowling, Hinrichs, Scott, van Ameringen and Wilson-Fromson families for contributing their time and support over the years and making Fountain House the success that it is today," the Mayor concluded.
For half a century Fountain House, located at 425 West 47th Street, has been a leader and pioneer, providing a community-based, restorative environment for adults challenged by major mental illness. The "clubhouse" model of recovery and rehabilitation, developed at Fountain House, regards people who choose its services as members, not as patients or clients, and this concept of membership is the foundation of the Fountain House philosophy. It recognizes that egalitarian and mutually respectful relationships are central to the rehabilitation process.
The International Center for Clubhouse Development, based at Fountain House, is the umbrella for more than 340 clubhouses in 20 countries. Each year Fountain House provides training for an average of 144 representatives of 36 clubhouses in the United States and overseas.
More than 1,300 Fountain House members are living more independent and fulfilling lives through its housing, education, employment, social/recreational and community support programs. Over the past 50 years Fountain House has served more than 16,000 men and women.