About Us
We are a community-partnership program where adults whose lives have been affected by mental illness come voluntarily to rebuild their lives.
We operate an accredited “clubhouse” modeled program, an award-winning, evidenced-based approach to self-directed recovery. We help people with mental illnesses stay out of hospitals and realize goals of social, financial, educational, and vocational independence.
One of 19 Clubhouses in Florida, and more than 370 across the world, we do the following:
- Promote dignity, social inclusion, and recovery
- Provide meaningful work that builds stamina, confidence, and social skills
- Help Members rejoin their communities
- Reduce stigma and discrimination
- Emphasize abilities, and talents
- Assist with access to services, supports, and housing
- Help Members build meaningful relationships
- Set meaningful life goals
- Abide by the International Clubhouse Model
Our services include
- Work readiness
- Resume building
- Help with job applications
- Help with educational resources
- Access to community resources
- Affordable meals
- Wellness
- Skill development
- Social events
Evidence-based research on the clubhouse model
- GOC Fact Sheet
- Florida Clubhouse Statewide Facts Flyer
- Cost effectiveness
- In-depth research reference literature
- Certification Standards
Meet Our Team
Executive Director
Margie Foster ([email protected])
Margie brings over 25 years of experience in operations management,
clinical behavioral services, and nonprofit leadership to her new role. Margie holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Development Director
Brett Buell ([email protected])
Generalist
Paul LeBlanc ([email protected])
Generalist
Rob Ellis ([email protected])
Generalist
Cristina Quiroga ([email protected])
Board of Directors
Meet our Board here.
Ambassadors
Learn about our Ambassador Program or learn how to become an Ambassador here.
Description
The Gainesville Opportunity Center, Inc. (“GOC”) is an insured not-for-profit 501(c)(3) agency established May 14, 2007. The GOC helps adults living with mental illness re-integrate into the community. Based on an innovative and proven program, the International Clubhouse Model, we work side by side with our membership in a work environment to increase meaningful activities. The people we serve are our Members, not our patients or clients. We do not charge for our services. And, Members can participate for as long as they wish in our clubhouse. Clubhouse is a community of people working together to achieve a common goal — to (re)join a world with friendships, family, employment, and education.
We work with a wide variety of community providers. See Community Resources. We occasionally make the local press. See, Press Mentions. We are located in beautiful Gainesville, Florida. For more information on Gainesville, see, About Gainesville. Considering and internship? See, Interns.
Mission Statement
Empowering adults affected with mental illness through social involvement and employment for self-directed recovery.
Address
Gainesville Opportunity Center, Inc.
1210 NW 14th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 224-5523
Email: [email protected]
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information
Download here: https://goclubhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Notice-of-Privacy-Practices-for-Protected-Health-Information.pdf
Website Legal Info
See, Website Legal Info
Need to Submit a Grievance?
Submit a grievance to: [email protected]
Or, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Civil Rights, HIPAA Privacy Officer, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 1, Room 110, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700, or by calling (850) 487-1901 or faxing (850) 921-8470.
Or, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201, or by calling (877) 696-6775. Or, go to www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html