Club Horizon Enjoys Annual Thanksgiving Celebration

Smiles and happy tummies are part of every Thanksgiving feast at Club Horizon Psychosocial Rehabilitation where diners have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious holiday feast.

People we support and staff at Monarch’s Club Horizon in Raleigh are hard at work getting ready for their annual Thanksgiving feast. It is especially meaningful to them because it helps them work on their independent living skills.

Club Horizon is a Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) program that provides support and assistance for adults living with diagnosis of serious and persistent mental illness. Providing services since September 2004, Club Horizon promotes recovery, self-reliance, and friendship through programs of rehabilitation and community support. The program’s philosophy is that individuals with the most severe psychiatric illness can live in their communities independently and be respected as neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

“We’ll be getting prepared just like any other family,” says Program Director Tabatha Moore, LCSWA, LCAS. “Preparation is a big part of this because you also get to work on your independent living skills, menu planning, learning to cook, and the grocery shopping.”

There is a lot of grocery shopping to do, too, because the menu is extensive. It starts off with roasted boneless turkey breast with turkey gravy. Sides include old-fashioned stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, shells and cheese, sautéed collard greens, sautéed green beans and yeast rolls. For dessert, they are serving pumpkin pie, pecan pie and country sweet potato cheesecake.

In addition to menu planning and shopping, the Thanksgiving feast also presents a staffing challenge because Monarch employees who commit to being at the event, must spend that time away from their own families. “We are grateful to staff willing to cover the days and times as well these staff are staying away from their families to be with the clubhouse family,” Moore said.

Typically, about 15 people supported through Club Horizon attend the dinner with at least two staffers. People we support are grateful to have the family atmosphere and opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with a delicious home-cooked meal.

Club Horizon’s traditional Thanksgiving feast includes tasty dishes like roasted turkey, pecan pie, bread stuffing and sweet potatoes.

“I have a great time at the Club Horizon holiday socials,” says Clubhouse attendee Kyle. “Since my family does not live in North Carolina, these socials give me a chance to participate in the holidays and not be isolated at home.”

Added Clubhouse attendee Anthony: “I love the holiday socials.  It gives me a chance to celebrate the holidays with my close friends.”

Moore said the gratitude expressed by Club Horizon participants enjoying the event itself is a rewarding aspect of the dinner.

“They do spend a little time each year talking about what they are thankful for,” she said. “They are thankful for each other, the clubhouse, the staff and just having somewhere to go on a holiday like this.”

Moore said Club Horizon’s celebration fits nicely into the overall mission of the program, which is an internationally accredited Clubhouse program in which people are given the opportunity to rejoin the world of friendships, family, work, education, and to access the services and supports they need as they move toward greater independence. A clubhouse is a safe, restorative environment for people who have had their lives drastically disrupted, and who need the support of others who believe that recovery from mental illness is possible for all.