It's a family of friends built around shared experience, and they celebrate holidays together with great food and festivity. The only other membership requirement is that a person be a Milwaukee County resident. New members must go through orientation before they can attend club functions. The club is a place where people with mental illnesses are unconditionally accepted, members said in interviews. Members run their own organization and learn work and social skills in the process, said Rachel Forman, executive director.
Most members have their illness relatively under control with medication.
Club members, like families, establish their own traditions, including those built around food. At Christmas time, members gather for a party with members of the Milwaukee-area community, who provide funding and other support. The food is elegant. Some of the recipes are family favorites of members. The members, assisted by staff, prepare the meal.