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Advocates ask commissioners to support Browder House clubhouse for serious mental illness
Summary
Sherry McGinsey told commissioners that Browder House, a clubhouse model program for people with severe and persistent mental illness, is operating as a nonprofit in Burke County, serving about 15 members and seeking steady funding and community referrals to expand services.
During the March 17 informal public comment period, Sherry McGinsey asked Burke County commissioners to support Browder House, a local nonprofit implementing the clubhouse model for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
McGinsey said Browder House now meets nonprofit status and licensing requirements, has a board of directors and an executive director (named in her remarks as Steven Salvamutu), and is serving roughly 15 members with additional referrals waiting. She described the clubhouse model as a “gold standard” of community psychosocial rehabilitation that reduces hospitalization, stabilizes housing and increases rates of permanent employment.
McGinsey asked for county assistance identifying steady funding sources and urged commissioners to visit other clubhouses. She emphasized the staffing requirement built into licensing — generally one staff member per eight members — and said the organization faces a temporary cash‑flow gap while new members engage and billing channels are established through partners behavioral health and local LME providers.
Why this matters: Browder House’s proponents say the clubhouse model provides long‑term, community‑based supports for people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other serious conditions and can reduce downstream costs to emergency services and inpatient care. McGinsey requested recommendations from the board for funding and partnership opportunities.
Board response Chair and commissioners thanked McGinsey for the presentation; no formal board action or funding commitment was taken during the March 17 meeting. McGinsey said she would provide further data to commissioners upon request.
Ending note Browder House leaders asked county staff or commissioners to visit existing clubhouses and consider partnership or seed funding options that would stabilize operations while the organization grows.
