Ciara Ruddock

Millions of Americans living with serious mental illness are denied access to care and support in the community, and end up cycling through our streets, shelters, emergency rooms, and jails. For far too long our punitive, ineffective and costly approaches have taken away their capacity, dignity, and humanity. For more than 70 years, Fountain House has believed in people living with serious mental illness - who are our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbors - and has proven that they can reach their goals and aspirations for a better life. Fountain House works. Our members are hospitalized and experience crisis significantly less than others with serious mental illness, resulting in 21% lower Medicaid costs. Of the 40% of our members experiencing homelessness or unstable housing when they arrive at Fountain House, 99% are housed within a year. Of the 24% of Fountain House members with a history of incarceration and justice involvement, rates of recidivism are less than 5%. Our members complete their education, find paid work, and achieve health and wellness goals at significantly higher rates than people living with serious mental illness who don’t have access to our programs. This is a model that is working in Mental Health Clubhouses across the country.