We're kicking off December with 12 Days of NonprofitsΒ β a 12-day celebration of the many local organizations that provide needed services to our community.
Billy Reyes has been a member of Coyote TaskForceβs clubhouse for two decades.
He's experienced depression and says the clubhouse has helped him become more social and outgoing.
βI enjoy helping people and when Iβm at the clubhouse, I feel like Iβm worthwhile and that I can do something that helps people,β he says.
The nonprofit Coyote TaskForce provides a sense of community, advocacy and awareness, and employment-focused recovery support for people with mental illnesses through programs such as Our Place Clubhouse, its thrift store Re-Threads Thrift, and its restaurant Cafe 54.
βWeβre a community of support for individuals living with mental illness or substance abuse,β says executive director Jeff Grobe.
βIt takes a strong community of support behind you and thatβs what we try to provide.β
There's also an eight-week peer support and advocacy training program for people who have experience with mental illness and/or substance abuse. Students receive first-aid and CPR certification, coaching, computer literacy training, an individualized wellness plan and more. The next program begins in January.Β
Delmar Danella, a trainee, takes the order of a customer as job coach Peggy Starr watches at Cafe 54. Coyote TaskForce, which runs the downtown restaurant, provides employment-related support to adults with mental illnesses.
Coyote TaskForce began in 1992 with founder Mindy Bernstein, amid what was dubbed a recovery movement. It started with the Coyote TaskForceβs clubhouse β officially called Our Place Clubhouse β inspired by Fountain House in New York City.
βItβs this idea of individuals who have some experience with mental illness creating a community that supports each other,β Grobe says. βThatβs what happened here in Tucson.β
Our Place Clubhouse offers a sense of community to those living with mental illnesses through activities, workshops and various outings, while also providing volunteer opportunities and the chance to build skills for the workforce.
Each of the clubhouse members is referred to Coyote TaskForce through a behavioral health provider, but Grobe says: βWe have a saying that once a member, always a member. Once someone gets in our door, weβre always going to support (them).β
βThis is really a community that has evolved beyond our doors,β Grobe says. βMembers have developed long-lasting friendships with other members here.β
Cafe 54 started in 2004 with the goal of providing job placement and a hands-on job skills training program. Above, trainee James Borcky, left, and job coach Roman Osuma walk out to deliver a lunch order.
Volunteers of Our Place Clubhouse also help run Coyote TaskForceβs public thrift store Re-Threads Thrift, which provides hands-on job training.
βWe believe really strongly in the power of employment to help people recover,βΒ Grobe says.
Coyote TaskForce is also behind the popular Cafe 54 downtown, which started in 2004 with the goal of providing job placement and a hands-on job skills training program to help people with mental illnesses learn competitive skills, all while simultaneously aiming to de-stigmatize mental illness.
Cafe 54, 54 E. Pennington St., is run by Coyote TaskForce, which provides employment-related support to adults with mental illnesses.
βI think the downtown community in Tucson has really accepted the cafe and the mission and we see that with returning customers and regulars coming in daily or every other day to support the program,β Grobe says.
βI absolutely believe recovery is possible, but it needs to happen in a place where people feel unconditionally supported and thatβs what we do,β Grobe says. βWe find those spaces where we can help people take positive steps β where they feel challenged, but they ultimately feel safe.β
βI think thatβs never been clearer than now, when weβve had to deal with so much forced isolation. The power of community β thereβs so many people who donβt have that without a place like clubhouse,β Grobe says.
How to help
Coyote TaskForce accepts monetary donations, plus donations of clothes, shoes and accessories to Re-Threads Thrift.
When shopping at Re-Threads Thrift, 66 E. Pennington St.,Β your money goes back into the clubhouse for its activities and outings, Grobe says.
You can also help Coyote TaskForce by having a meal at Cafe 54, 54 E. Pennington St.Β β there are burgers, sandwiches and salads on the menu, plus a few miscellaneous entree items.
And if you happen to be an employer with open positions, Grobe welcomes you to connect with the organization so he can help find positions for clubhouse members with employment-focused goals.
