News

07 Oct Member Spotlight: Jim

A complete transformation at Vail Place If you knew Jim six years ago, before he started coming to Vail Place, you probably wouldn’t recognize him today. Jim was a self-described loner and introvert. He didn’t like being around people and preferred alone time to any social activity. With his shy disposition, a community environment like Vail Place was the last place he wanted to be, but his ex-wife, who was a longtime member, pushed him to go. He recalls his discomfort, “Initially, I really didn’t want to be here.”

28 Sep Member Spotlight: Teal

A journey from isolation and unhappiness to social fulfillment Teal G. was in a dark place before coming to the Clubhouse. She was very isolated and lonely. And when she would spend time with others, she chose people who, as she describes them, were not good for her. She was also disowned by her family. She recalls, “I had difficulties going into the hospital multiple times, engaging in self-injury, everything. It was no good.”

09 Sep Member Spotlight: Richard

Veteran finds support system at Vail Place When you take a tour of Vail Place, you might just be guided by a man named Richard. Richard is a veteran who served in the Army for four years in the early 1980s. He was a support person with the Special Forces and was a paratrooper with 25 jumps as well. For the last 15 months of his service, he was stationed in Germany, and after leaving the Army, he spent some time touring Europe. A few decades later, however, Richard found himself struggling with homelessness, mental illness and financial problems. After a very difficult time in his life, Richard reunited with his family in Minnesota, and they helped get him started in a treatment program at the V.A. hospital there, which was the beginning of his recovery. He commented, “I was still kind of messed up. I wasn’t thinking right.” While in treatment at the hospital, he remembers watching a video that included an image of Vail Place’s Minneapolis Clubhouse. He knew he needed a place to go after daytime treatment, and he thought the Clubhouse could be a good fit. Richard’s father and stepmother arranged a tour for him, and he became a member of the Uptown Club in December of 2006. Though he didn’t realize it then, Vail Place would become a huge part of his life.