TandC Associates, LLC

Welcome to TandC Associates, LLC!

Welcome to Stepping Stones Clubhouse!

 Reception and Hospitality Desk

We recently returned from a trip to the Land of Oz, where we had the chance to visit a clubhouse in Brisbane, called Stepping Stones.  We had been in contact with the CAT Unit (more about that below!), and set up a tour in January 2012.   Stepping Stones Clubhouse had just completed a major renovation, and we saw the whole clubhouse bustling with members in newly expanded, and painted units.  When we entered the reception area (readily accessible from a large parking area), the member covering the Reception and Hospitality Desk cordially invited us to sign in.   Our member tour guides were informed we had arrived and we were all introduced!  We admired the bright green with white accents of paint on one of the walls behind the reception desk.  Our tour guides, Paul and Simon, shared that the members had been involved with the planning and painting, as well as much of the renovations as possible.

They then led us to the Cafe, to the left of the Reception/Hospitality area, where healthy breakfasts and sandwiches are served for the morning crew.  We were heartily invited to have cappucino and talk at the end of our tour by the members working in the Cafe!  Everyone clearly showed “Pride of Ownership” in the Cafe.  From there we were walked past the spacious Kitchen prep area, where everyone was engaged in salad and pasta making.  All the fresh vegetables were being chopped by members with heads covered by nets (or paper hats) as well as gloves worn by everyone.

Upstairs we saw the Clerical, Administration and Training Unit (CAT).  Here members could access the latest vacancies posted for Transition Employment, Housing and Healthcare advocacy services, and participate in the overall operations of Stepping Stones.  Everyone proudly took a moment to show off the activities in the large open space that flowed together.

As our tour was winding down, members and staff invited us to join them for lunch, but we had a plane to catch so we only had time for debriefing with our tour guides.  Paul and Simon had already put in our requests for coffee and cappucino so while we waited, two more Stepping Stones members drew up chairs to join us in the Cafe for a lively conversation!

FYI — Stepping Stones is a well-developed clubhouse in Brisbane (with programs for psychiatric rehabilitation, including pre-vocational Day Program activities and Transitional Employment).  It  is now a training center for the Pacific Rim, certified by the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD).

This posting is the first of many we plan to share with our readers.  In our next one, we will describe some of our efforts to facilitate the establishment of a clubhouse in North Norway.  See you soon!