QUYANA HOUSE

225 Eagle Street Anchorage, AK 99507

278-6619  278-6631(fax)

Quyana House is one of the many human service programs provided by Southcentral Foundation.  Quyana House opened its doors in the spring of 1993 as an answer to the on going need for care of adult chronically mentally ill people.  At a time when other mental health programs were cutting back due to reduced funding, Southcentral Foundation started a new program that is unique in the Anchorage area.  It is based on the clubhouse model started by Fountain House in New York City in the late 1950's.

Quyana House has a mission to provide a safe and welcoming place for the mentally ill to progress toward independence.  There are no "clients" at Quyana House only "members."  Members and staff work together to manage Quyana House as a business.  Members participate in "units" learning job skills.  There are three units of activity; the cafe, clerical and member support.  The cafe unit plans, shops, prepare and clean-up breakfast and lunch each day.  They also run a snack bar selling coffee, candy and sodas.
The clerical unit publishes a newsletter each month tracks member attendance and statistics, keeps the paperwork up to date by copying, filing, sorting, mailing and faxing.  They are also responsible for answering the telephones and greeting members and guests.  The member support unit calls members who have not attended for some time, gives tours to guests and helps members with job placement.  In addition, they hold twelve step and nutrition classes and operate a thrift store on site. Members may choose in which unit they wish to participate.  They may change units at any time.  Some members participate in all the units!

Quyana House has a supported housing program.  It is called LOFT, Learning Opportunities For Transition.  LOFT works closely with other agencies to assist members to reach for independence in the community.  These members are housed in an apartment building near the clubhouse.  Staff is available twenty-four hours a day to monitor and teach adult daily living skills.

In 1993, Quyana House began with three members.  There are now sixty-five active members.  Over one hundred and fifty people have been served since Quyana House began.  There are many members now working part-time and full-time jobs having developed skills and confidence at Quyana House.

Quyana is an Alaskan Native word coming from two Native languages.  In one, it means thank you and in the other , welcome.  That is what Southcentral Foundation and Quyana House say to you today for taking the time to lean about us....  QUYANA!
 

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                 last modified 9/1/00