Rotary Happenings: Hope Clubhouse provides services
A staggering statistic within Lee County is that one in four people suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. A report in 2019 stated that there were 81, 000 people diagnosed with mental illnesses in Lee County alone. And an even more startling statistic is that Florida ranks as one of the lowest funded states for mental health.
In steps Erin Broussard. Erin is the CEO of Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida. Hope Clubhouse is part of an international organization of over 320 Clubhouses throughout the world. Within Florida, there are 14 clubhouses with our local clubhouse opening in 2007 serving Lee County Charlotte County and Collier County.
Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida is a membership community of support for those living with mental illnesses. The Clubhouse can only serve 700 members at one time. They have 170 employment partners helping their members become productive members of society and manage their mental illness at the same time. This program helps keep them contributing to society and out of the mental health hospital system.
Erin Broussard is the CEO of Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida, joining the organization in September 2020. Erin has more than 20 years of experience in Operations, Program Development, and Non-Profit Leadership. She is also an experienced Clinician/ Educator- versed in treatment, case management, and training in both adolescent and adult populations. Erin served in the US Air Force from 1996 to 2009, moving to SW FL via Baltimore after living many years in the Houston.
Erin attended Capella University in Minneapolis, MN where she completed a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in 2007. Erin also attended the University of Colorado-Pueblo where she received her Bachelor of Science in Social Science in 2000. Additionally, Erin is a certified Senior Certified Human Resources Professional (SHRM-SCP). When she isn’t working she enjoys reading, playing softball recreationally and spending time with friends and family.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club holds a meeting on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, and via Zoom; doors open at 7 a.m. To attend in person, email Bill Harkey at William.Harkey@gmail.com by the Tuesday before the meeting. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.