In order to continue to promote clubhouse services in Taiwan and to connect with the international community, Eden Foundation invited Jack Yatsko, Chief Operating Officer of International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), Clubhouse International, to conduct a visit and exchange of views. Mr. Ms. Yen-Bing Chung, CEO of Eden, warmly welcomed the visit and looked forward to the exchange of views, which would help Eden to understand the spirit of the Clubhouse for people with psycho-social disabilities and to provide better support to the survivors of psychiatry.

 Ms. Yen-Bing Chung, CEO (second from left) and Vice CEO, Mr. Ben Lin (first from right) of Eden, welcomed Mr. Jack Yatsko (middle), COO of International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), Clubhouse International, to Eden for the visit and views exchanging.

        During the meeting, not only to sharing the Eden history of establishment, advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities, diversified services, promotion of CRPD in Taiwan, and participation in international activities, but the trajectory of Eden in the development of services for the survivors of psychiatry and their caregivers was also introduced. Starting from the experimental stage in 1990, Eden has set up 11 clubhouses in Taiwan till now (2025), and participated in many clubhouse trainings and conferences around the world, demonstrating the efforts and determination of Eden to actively promote services for people with psycho-social disabilities and their caregivers.

        Ms. Trista Leung, Director General, Taipei District of Eden, pointed out that all Eden clubhouses in Taiwan strive to operate in accordance with the standards and spirit of the clubhouse model, and the implementation of this model will be of great benefit to members. The current priority of the promotion work is on the training of human resources, the familiarization with the clubhouse model, and the enhancement of the quality of the operation.

Mr. Jack Yatsko (middle), COO of International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), Clubhouse International, gave a presentation to share the spirit and effectiveness of the clubhouse.

         However, only Eden 'Blessed Clubhouse' in Taiwan has been accredited as an international clubhouse. Mr. Jack Yatsko encouraged other clubhouses to participate in the accreditation process so that their benefits and achievements can be recognized by the government and the general public, and so that they can have the opportunity to set up more clubhouses to provide more support for people with psycho-social disabilities. 'There are still many survivors of psychiatry who are experiencing difficulties and frustrations, and the clubhouse is their only hope.' he said.

         Mr. Jack Yatsko further said that by investing in the establishment of clubhouses to interface with the needs of persons with disabilities, more services can be produced. For example, it can help people with psycho-social disabilities to return to the open labor market and give back to the community, and it can also indirectly reduce the cost of medical treatment, emergency room visits, or hospitalization. For example, in Norway, there were originally only three clubhouses, but after collecting data that proved the clubhouses could help members reduce hospitalization rates and improve their effectiveness in the workplace, they advocated to the government and then 23 clubhouses were established.

Mr. Ben Lin, Vice CEO of Eden (first from left), presented a picture book produced by members of the Fountain Clubhouse to Mr. Jack Yatsko, COO of International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), Clubhouse International.

        Mr. Jack Yatsko emphasized that the spirit of the clubhouse is “I need you!” and that the staff and members are interdependent partners. Unlike other care organizations, participants in the Clubhouse are not called patients or clients, but members, so that people with psycho-social disabilities can feel that they are also part of the community. In addition, the Clubhouse adopts a flat management style, with no distinction between staff and members. It is a shared space and a rehabilitation base that encourages people with psycho-social disabilities to make their own decisions and empowerment, and assists them to obtain the necessary resources in terms of housing, employment, education, socialization, etc., to improve their quality of life, support the division of labor also the setting of goals, and create opportunities for personal growth and development.

Mr. Jack Yatsko, COO of of International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), Clubhouse International, posing for a group photo with the members of Eden Fountain Clubhouse and Blessed Clubhouse.

        According to statistics, there are currently 370 clubhouses in 32 countries around the world, and the number continues to grow. The future vision of Clubhouse International is to build a world where the survivors of psychiatry can recover and integrate into society, and its mission is to end the social and economic isolation of people with psycho-social disabilities by expanding the number of quality clubhouses around the world.

       Finally, Mr. Jack Yatsko pointed out that every community has the senior activity center, the Boys and Girls Scout troop, the YWCA, etc., but not all of communities have clubhouses, but the fact is that there are survivors of psychiatry in the communities, and there is a need for clubhouses. Therefore, there is still a long way to go, and we look forward to working together so that survivors of psychiatry can truly live and recover in the community.