Finding a place for Gabriel to belong began with his sister Georgina’s call to MHAPB.

“I knew Gabriel needed community, and I needed peace of mind that he would be with people who are accepting and supportive of people with mental illness,” Georgina said.

Georgina appreciated the options MHAPB provided for Gabriel and the open environment rather than a regimented structure. They both toured the Fern Street Clubhouse and Peer Place, and Gabriel spent time in both places before deciding the Clubhouse was where he wanted to be.

“After the first day, he found comfort and wanted to keep going,” Georgina said. “They care about him and come alongside him and the community he is building—that is something I have always wanted for my brother. They are a source of support for me, and I know he is somewhere safe.”

Gabriel now spends every weekday at the Fern Street Clubhouse. In the less than a year since he’s been a member, Georgina has witnessed a remarkable transformation. The brother she knew is coming back.

“A lot of his personality disappeared during his illness,” Georgina said. “He was by himself so much. The constant day-to-day interaction at the Clubhouse has done miracles for him. He’s more talkative. He smiles a lot more. The staff at the Clubhouse text me photos and stories during the week, showing him cooking or telling me about his sense of humor and his sweetness. It’s so nice to see him back and I think it’s all due to the program.”

Georgina is proud of the progress Gabriel has made, and she knows he is, too. He has taken his interest in cooking to the next level at the Clubhouse by earning a food handling certificate, making him eligible for a part-time job if he chooses. An invitation to attend a two-day Florida Clubhouse Coalition Conference in Gainesville was another point of pride for Gabriel.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities he’s had, the community and relationships he is building, and the staff who come from a place of compassion and understanding—they feel like more than staff, and I feel it through my brother. He’s a part of something bigger. There’s never been a day when he didn’t want to go to the Clubhouse, and Gabriel is truly transformed because of it.”