Fountain House

Fountain House

Fountain House is dedicated to the recovery of men and women with mental illness by providing opportunities for our members to live, work, and learn, while contributing their talents through a community of mutual support.

Mission statement

Fountain House’s vision is that people with serious mental illness will live and thrive in society.

Fountain House improves the lives of people living with serious mental illness by:

  • Operating community mental health programs in New York City based upon Fountain House’s pioneering working community model that relies on the voluntary participation of its members
  • Developing innovative programs, research, and shared knowledge about recovery from mental illness
  • Collaborating with others to inspire and teach organizations around the world to use the Fountain House model, and
  • Advocating for people living with serious mental illness to improve perceptions and practices

Summary of relevant work

Fountain House’s award-winning programs provide opportunities for its members to belong to a vibrant community focused on work, wellness and social connections. Its engaged staff and members, working side-by-side, create housing, employment, education and health and wellness initiatives that renew people’s lives and reconnect them with mainstream society.

Our outcomes are remarkable:

Employment

In the US, only 15% of people living with mental illness are employed. Through Fountain House’s Employment program, members have achieved an employment rate of 30%. Our members earn more than $2 million annually at over 40 companies throughout New York City.

Health Care

Over twenty years ago, the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Center pioneered a “health home” that integrates medical and psychiatric healthcare. Complementary wellness practices and community social supports help members achieve a re-hospitalization rate of 10% versus the 50% rate of the general population of people living with serious mental illness.

Education

Fountain House members complete school at a rate of 77%, compared to 32% for the general population of people living with mental illness. 

Homelessness

Of the nearly 57,000 homeless people in NYC, it is estimated that 40% are living with mental illness. Fountain House is committed to ensuring that all of its 1,300 members have stable living environments, whether in Fountain House residences, independent apartments or with family and friends.

Key partners

Funders

  • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
  • The van Ameringen Foundation, Inc.
  • Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation
  • The Ambrose Monell Foundation
  • Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc.
  • Dalio Foundation, Inc
  • The Altschul Foundation
  • The Ruth Turner Fund, Inc.
  • Ayco Charitable Foundation
  • BTIG, LLC
  • Edwin S. Webster Foundation
  • HBO - Home Box Office
  • Leonard Friedland Charitable Foundation
  • Renate, Hans and Maria Hofmann Trust
  • Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP
  • Anti-Defamation League Foundation
  • Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
  • Kenworthy - Swift Foundation
  • The Acorn Foundation
  • American Stock Transfer & Trust Co.
  • Bloomberg L.P.
  • Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
  • The Vidda Foundation
  • New Yankee Stadium Comm. Benefits Fund
  • Hope Foundation
  • Prestige Mills, Inc
  • Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
  • Computershare
  • Fiduciary Trust Company International
  • Hess Foundation, Inc.
  • Mutual of America Life Insurance Company
  • Pathstone Federal Street
  • The Hyde and Watson Foundation
  • The Lauder Foundation
  • Zoetis
  • S. Forest Company, Inc.
  • Universal Network TV, LLC
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
  • The Atlantic Philanthropies
  • McDermott & Thomas Associates
  • Tokio Marine Management and Insurance
  • Acker, Merrall & Condit Co.
  • Allen & Company, Inc.
  • UBS

Seeking collaboration with

Other organizations
Policy makers
Researchers

Details

Approach(es)
Empowerment and service user involvement
Training, education and capacity building
Treatment, care and rehabilitation
Disorder(s)
Depression/anxiety/stress-related disorders
Psychosis/bipolar disorder
Self-harm/suicide
Region(s)
North America
Population(s)
Adults
Setting(s)
Community
Country(s)
United States