WHAT IS A FAIRWEATHER LODGE?

 

A Fairweather Lodge is a house where adults with mental illness live together. People who have experienced mental illness, whether having been treated in hospitals or other facilities or in out-patient clinics face stigma from those in the community without the same experience. This bias continues for them even after successful treatment.

 

The model is named after its creator, Dr. George William Fairweather, who first introduced the community living model in the 1960’s with patients coming out of a VA hospital. His work continued to spread the use of the model in many states and regions.

 

Fairweather Lodges are permanent housing/shared living situations with:

• A Lodge Coordinator is assigned to a Lodge(s).  It is expected that the Lodge Coordinator will be at the Lodge 10 or less hours a week. The Lodge members create and enforce Lodge rules and expectations of the residents. The members help one another to continue treatment, be productive and positively involve themselves in their community. This interdependence is key to creating a home environment with a “chosen family” atmosphere.
• Groups that can be all male, all female or co-ed. Again, this is a Lodge decision.

 

HOW CAN I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN A FAIRWEATHER LODGE?

 

Information can be found on the Coalition for Community Living (CCL) Website, www.theccl.org. This includes finding a Lodge near you. Many are sponsored by local Mental Health agencies, which can receive your application. Your community worker such as a social worker or care coordinator can help with your application.

You can be referred to an agency. Those who may be hospitalized can be referred directly from an in-patient setting. The most important consideration is whether you would like to explore a permanent living situation where you are part of a group of people who live and work together.

 

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO ENTER LIVING IN THE FAIRWEATHER LODGE?

 

The process to enter living in a Lodge can vary from agency to agency following the general process.

1. 1. Someone from the housing agency (i.e., Lodge Coordinator) works with the individual looking to come to live at the Lodge to help decide if Lodge living is right for them.
   2. The current Lodge members meet with the individual and will have the opportunity to:
      1. Give a house tour.
      2. Explain the expectations of anyone living in the Lodge.
      3. Take some time to get to know the potential member.
      4. Discuss amongst themselves, after meeting with the candidate to see if they agree that Lodge living will work for the individual as well if the candidate will likely promote and help maintain the Lodge.
      5. Meet with the individual again at a different time to make and offer to join their Lodge family.

NOTE: The housing agency or its representatives have no final say as to who would or would not live in the Lodge. That decision is for the current Lodge members to make by majority vote.

 

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ANY MEMBER LIVING IN THE FAIRWEATHER LODGE?

 

Living in a Lodge is a family environment and like with any family it is expected that Lodge members will work together to make the household run well.

• Provide support to each other.
• Cook Meals
• Keep the house and yard (if there is a yard) clean and neat.
• Lodge members will work a paid job, volunteer, or go to school.
• Some Lodges start a business for which the members can work.
• The most important expectation is to be respectful to their fellow Lodge mates.

 

 

DO LODGE MEMBERS WORK?

 

• Lodge Members must be in some sort of activity while living at the Lodge.
  • Working
  • Going to school
  • Volunteering
  • None of the above (only if retired), but it is found that even those folks are usually volunteering.
• A big misconception is that adults with a mental health diagnosis cannot work.  The exact opposite is the case.  Most people like to be part of a productive group or project, and everyone likes to earn money.
• Many Lodges start a business as part of the Lodge.  This is not a requirement, but it has been proven to be helpful and enjoyable by the members of the Lodge.
  • Some examples of businesses include:
    • Lawn Care
    • Custodial
    • Laundry Services
    • Printing
    • Furniture Building
    • Transportation

 

WHAT IS THE COALITION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING?

IT IS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT & GUIDENCE TO AGENCIES WHO CURRENTLY HAVE LODGES OR WOULD LIKE TO START A NEW LODGE. THE CCL PROVIDES CONNECTION TO ALL LODGE MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

 

• The Coalition for Community Living (CCL) was formed in December 1978.

• The CCL is made up of the following individuals:
  • Administrators of present Fairweather Lodge programs
  • Staff of present Fairweather Lodge programs
  • Lodge members who either currently live at or have lived in a Fairweather Lodge
  • Community leaders, scholars and family members who want to help promote this type of program.
  • Anyone who wishes to participate is welcome.

 

 

THE COALITION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (CCL) BELIEVES AND PROMOTES THE FOLLOWING AS PART OF LIFE-LONG RECOVERY:

 

1. The power and value of participant teams. People working together.
2. The ultimate responsibility for problem-solving rests with members; professional input must be limited to consultation; never direction.
3. The usefulness and appropriateness of affirmative industries (i.e., member-run business) as a strategy for achieving vocational and financial independence goals.
4. Increasing the social status of individuals diagnosed with mental illness as productive participants in their communities.
5. True empowerment flows only from responsibility.  An individual’s role as a productive citizen has more significance for life-long recovery than their role as a patient or client of mental health services.
6. Community modification is an effective strategy with respect to creating housing solutions.
7. The power and value of integrated services aligned with the person’s wishes, desires, and dreams. All support agencies and treatment providers must understand that treatment and rehabilitation goals must be defined by the person.