Client Stories

Member Spotlight: Jude

Rehabilitation in returning to Vail Communities

Drugs, alcohol, depression, ADHD, anxiety. These were everyday struggles for a troubled man named Jude, struggles that had plagued him most of his life. He had been in and out of hospitals, halfway houses and chemical dependency treatments since 1990. He commented, “I was basically a do-nothing, a recluse. I had attempted suicide once. I thought I would never go to another treatment, that there was nothing I could get out of it that I didn’t already know.” Thankfully, this all changed for Jude with the help of Vail Place…but only the second time around.

Not ready to make a change

Jude actually found out about Vail Communities around 1992 while staying at Hennepin County Medical Center and completing a treatment program. “I was at a place where all I wanted to do was die,” he recalled. Upon hearing about Vail, he decided to try it out for a while. However, he ended up leaving in 1993 because, as he describes it, “I was not willing to do the things I needed to do for me to sober up.” He spent 1993 through 2016 going through day treatments and seeing various doctors. Though he got sober in 2009 and even got a college degree in Massage Therapy, he was not involving himself in productive work or activities.

In 2016, Jude found himself at a crossroads. “I had come so far with my recovery and I didn’t think I could go any further,” he said. He was considering using again but felt certain that if he did, he would die. “I knew something had to change,” he added. His mother gave him a little push in asking if he would consider going back to Vail Place. He thought, “I’m going to give this a shot.”

Involvement brings enjoyment

Jude came to Vail the first time with the simple intention of having something to do. He recalls, “I don’t know that I was in that space of knowing what I wanted in life.” However, his early involvement at the Clubhouse gave him a chance to rehabilitate himself and move forward from where he was in his life. Even now, Vail Place is helping him continue his rehabilitation and affording him opportunities to “give back to the world in a very positive way.”

One of his favorite Clubhouse activities is running the kitchen. He used to cook for a living in a nursing home, and his experience made him naturally inclined to take on a leadership role in the Clubhouse kitchen. Admittedly, he never saw himself doing such a thing. His management skills continue to grow as he directs workers with responsibilities, trains people at the snack bar and helps others with reach-out calls.

Another Clubhouse experience that stands out for Jude is his involvement in the Smoking Cessation Committee. He became part of the committee initially because he thought it would be a way to challenge himself to quit smoking. “For the most part,” he said, “it has done that. All I’m doing now is an e-cigarette, and I used to smoke a pack and half a day. It’s been eight months since I’ve picked up a cigarette.” He attributes his progress to his part in running the cessation committee, and his enjoyment from that experience has led him to consider ways to help everyone at Vail be the best person they can be. He strives toward being a person who is courteous to all, who gets along with those around him and who is helpful.

A new take on life

Outside of Vail Communities, Jude’s life is now full of meaningful activities. He is an artist, an avid reader and is involved with a church as well. He is a Secular Franciscan Order monk with Saint Leonard’s Fraternity, and they follow the gospels in the manner of St. Francis. Although he had struggled on and off for years with being gay, he is now more comfortable and open about it; he even came out recently to his entire fraternity, which he says went quite well. Jude also leads an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at the Pride Institute Treatment Center every Friday night.

These days, when people ask Jude about Vail Place, he tells them, “It’s a place that offers hope and an awesome opportunity for anyone with mental illness to grow, learn and challenge themselves.” Vail has helped Jude realize a much happier and more fulfilled version of himself. “My life is way better!” he said. “I’ve realized through the work-ordered day that I’m more than just my mental illness, that I also can do so much and that I have something to contribute to this world in a positive way.” His goals are to become a mental health professional and continue advocacy through the peer support program. “I’ve always had these dreams of ways to give back to the world, and this is my way of doing that and leaving my mark on the world.”

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.”

A glimmer of hope

One of the times Teal was in the hospital, she heard others talking about Vail Communities. She decided to give the Uptown Minneapolis Clubhouse a try. From her earliest visits, Teal felt welcomed and comfortable. She commented, “When I first came, I was very medicated and had a hard time expressing myself verbally. I wasn’t concerned about stuttering here, not having the right word. I didn’t have to be nervous.” She was relieved to find the community at Vail Place to be extremely encouraging and supportive. 

It didn’t take long for Teal to realize there were many friends to be made. She truly enjoyed talking with other members, and many of them had a great sense of humor. These people were a welcome change from the negative influences she was used to surrounding herself with. She describes her relationship with other Clubhouse members as “wonderful.” She gets along with everyone and has created meaningful bonds. “I have great friends here,” she said. Sometimes, she even gets together with other members outside of Vail Communities.

Finding purpose

Teal not only likes talking with other members, but also playing an active role at the Clubhouse. “I’ve always enjoyed running the snack bar,” she commented. “Now that my knees are better, I run the snack bar at Hopkins.” She likes coming to the Clubhouse in the morning, reading the paper, going to the snack bar and having lunch with others. Afterward, she goes home and does any business she has to take care of. She looks forward to her role at Vail Place and takes it seriously, saying, “I look at this as work, a job. I make sure all of my appointments are after 2:00 p.m. so that I can come in the morning.”

One of the activities Teal especially looks forward to is attending Camp Knutson. Camp Knutson partners with Vail Communities to provide a supportive and fun-filled camping experience for members on its 30-acre campus. Teal has made great memories there and considers it a special place. “There’s a big round table that all the Hopkins members sit at,” she said. Camp Knutson has been one of her favorite activities for years now, and she has been a Vail Place member for over a decade.

A new chapter

Things are different for Teal – and much happier – than all those years ago when she was isolating herself and without a family. “This is my family now,” she said. Teal recognizes the healthy growth Vail Communities has helped her achieve in her life. “The main change,” she added, “is that I’m not alone.” She now feels like she has a place to go and people to be with.

That purpose and sense of community has prompted her to spread the word about Vail Place to others she knows and cares about. She recently encouraged one of her neighbors to join. After becoming a member, her neighbor was able to find employment through the support and resources there. Teal has experienced first-hand and seen from others what a difference the Clubhouse community can make in a person’s life. If you ask Teal, she’ll tell you Vail Communities is “just amazing.”

Member Spotlight: Gwen R. in Her Own Words

My name is Gwen R. and I am a member of Vail Communities.

I first said no to ever talking about Vail Communities because I have severe general anxiety, severe social anxiety, and depression.

But … I want to talk to you … so damn this anxiety … here I go.

I’ve been in and out of psych wards a lot … some years more than I can count or remember… due to severe anxiety and depression.  Avoidance has been my “drug of choice.”

Avoidance at first seemed to give me relief from the anxiety… but after a while avoidance no longer seemed to help me feel better.

In 1999, the year before I checked out Vail Communities, I had lived in isolation.  That year I had only gotten together with family once. I did talk to my mom on the phone once every three weeks… but I did that only to avoid her bugging me unexpectedly.  I pretty much only saw my therapist that year.

What brought me to Vail Communities was that I was tired of feeling alone and tired of feeling like crap. I remembered Social Rec from the hospital had helped me some. So when I found out Vail Place had Social Rec I finally, in 2000, checked it out. Yet at Vail Communities I surprisingly have found much more. I’ve found low-cost tasty meals and good company and even some laughter. I have felt less sick and hopeless. There I don’t feel like a patient or client. There I am treated by staff and other members as a whole, capable person. Even as an equal.

Over time I’ve helped out at Vail Communities more and more and even found that small things I could do were valued. I even inched my way towards my dreaded four-letter work – Work. Vail Place helped me ready myself for job training. I started slowly … and gradually increased my days. Then my training unexpectedly was ended. Luckily, I was hired at that insurance company where I was trained.

I worked full-time for six years. In 2010 I was laid off. It was a shock.

Without too much detail… I then tried school right away, since that company said they’d pay for a limited time. When that didn’t work out for me I struggled with an eating disorder, survived breast cancer, went to intensive and partial programs. I struggled with the will to go on. At the end of this last partial program my pet, who I was very close to, died… and my mom was dying.

I knew where unconditional support was, so I got myself back to Vail Communities. After I finished the last partial program I rushed into accepting a short-term transitional job through Vail Communities. One reason I rushed was that I wanted to convince my mom that could eventually support myself. I didn’t want her to worry too, as she was dying.

I was going to try that job. But it was too soon. Too much pressure. I quit before I started. Then from guilt, avoidance, anxiety, depression, and grief I isolated again 2017-2018 – in my bed for a year.

Vail Communities never gave up on me. After a year and a half of avoiding the phone out of guilt and avoiding family… I finally went back to Vail Communities … to forgiveness, community, and hope. I’m getting another chance. I’ve been working part-time now for several months in a Vail Communities transitional employment position at Fortune Fish (Coastal Seafood). It has gone well and my skills and my confidence in my abilities are improving bit by bit. Now I am pleased that with the continued training and support of Vail Communities, tomorrow I will be starting a new clerical transitional job at the University of St. Thomas with more hours, so more pay.

So I’ll stop there. I pretty much know I’ve talked too long. I’ll get right to the point. Vail Communities has been there for me – even if just to go for a good low-cost meal or to get away from my messy, lonely apartment.

I believe it is very important for All people, Us included, to feel valued and to contribute to our society.

With Vail Communities we have many opportunities to be a part of a very accepting Community. We all know the struggles mental illness presents to us… and yet we are Not confined to labels or diagnoses. We are Whole human beings. We have potential, we are worthy, we are valuable members of society.

Thank you for listening.

Member Spotlight: Richard

Veteran finds support system at Vail Communities

When you take a tour of Vail Communities, 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 Communities' 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.

“Recovery is possible.”

At first, Richard started coming to the Clubhouse to hang out. It simply gave him a place to go. Soon, he began participating in some of the social recreation activities offered, like softball and bowling. He enjoyed being more active there, and he discovered that he liked the meals most days too. Before long, he found himself wanting to get involved in the work-ordered day. His involvement ranged from activities like cooking and doing dishes to giving tours and delivering presentations as part of the Speakers Bureau.

Richard has been involved with the Speakers Bureau a few different times and is currently an active member. In his role, he travels to different locations to speak about Vail Place and what it has to offer. He enjoys the opportunity the Speakers Bureau gives him to reach out to the larger community, not only to let people know about Vail Place but also to inform others about mental health in general. A few of his main messages to others are: “Recovery is possible” and “Vail Communities is a great community to belong to.”

More than a place to hang out

Richard now plays a significant role in the Vail community. Most of Richard’s friends are at Vail Place, and when it comes to Clubhouse members, he sees himself like a diplomat. A year and a half ago, he became a Vail Communities board member as well. Richard attends the bi-monthly meetings and serves on the Clubhouse Committee and the Tour de Vail Committee, which organizes the annual summer fundraiser. He enjoys the responsibilities of being part of those committees and feels like he’s been able to make an impact in the direction of Vail Communities.

Vail Communities has not only helped Richard become socially active but also helped him find a place to live. Before coming to the Clubhouse many years ago, he did not have a rental history in the state due to moving and living with others. Despite this, Vail Communities was able to help Richard get an apartment at Hopkins Park Plaza. He lived there for two years before moving to another building, which is where he still resides. After experiencing the difficulties of homelessness, he is grateful for the support Vail Place gave him in finding a place to call his own.

A bright outlook

Richard’s life has positively changed in many ways since his initial tour in 2006. He has achieved great personal growth and stability. He commented, “I’m more responsive. I have goals, dreams, and ambitions that I set for myself, and I try to accomplish them.” He aims to continue expanding his skills in computer programming and painting and wants to learn to fly fish as well. For Richard, Vail Communities had everything he needed to help him recover. He added, “It’s my home away from home, my support.” He hopes that Vail Communities is able to continue their successful example of what “an evidence-based practice for mental health should be.”