About Us

About Us

Picture of when Members and volunteers made fresh-squeezed orange juice for an important visit to the GOC

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” 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 300 across the world, we

  • 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 & talents
  • Assist with access to services, supports, housing
  • Help Members build meaningful relationships
  • 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


Meet Our Team

Photo of GOC Executive Director Margie Foster

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). At its core, the GOC’s model fosters a community of inclusion, support, and empowerment for its Members. Clubhouses are safe havens where Members work alongside staff in a collaborative, non-clinical environment. In the process, GOC Members gain self-confidence, develop valuable skills, and build a sense of purpose that leads to gainful employment.

Development Director

Program Coordinator

Generalists

Board of Directors

Meet our board here.

Description

The Gainesville Opportunity Center, Inc. (GOC) is a primary corporate entity that has established itself as a non-for-profit agency with Federal 501(c)(3) status since 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 in w work environment to increase meaningful activity. 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. Much more than simply a program or a social service, a Clubhouse is most importantly a community of people who are working together to achieve a common goal: to (re)join the worlds of friendships, family, employment and education.

We work with a large collection 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

Empower adults affected with mental illness through social involvement and employment for self-directed recovery.

Address

Gainesville Opportunity Center, Inc.
1210 NW 14th Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601

Phone: (352) 224-5523

General 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, HIPPA Privacy Officer, 1317 Winewood Blvd, Building 1, Room 110, Tallahassee FL 32399-0700, Tel. (850)487-1901 Fax (850)921-8470

Or 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 1-877-696-6775 www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html