The Year of - Independence Center

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Dear Friends,
Stephen F. Desloge
We are proud to report on the performance of Independence Center for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2008. It was truly a year of incredible growth, transforming
change and impressive synergy as all Clubhouse operations and services came
together in our handsome new West End Place facility for the first time.
Independence Center enjoyed success by almost any financial yardstick. Not only did
we operate healthily in the black, we did so in spite of unanticipated expenses
related to our move. We garnered more corporate support than we have ever
previously enjoyed, both for our “Rebuilding Futures, Restoring Lives” Capital Campaign
and in program grants and event sponsorship. And we established an endowment
fund through the designation of proceeds from a benefactor’s generous bequest.
The Capital Campaign received a magnificent challenge from the Danforth Foundation that will match dollar
for dollar all gifts or pledges received by December 31, 2008 up to a total of $500,000. This will enable us to
reach our $3.7 million dollar goal on the anticipated schedule. We are profoundly grateful for this endorsement
of our work.
We had a much-enhanced public relations profile this year, garnering substantial newspaper and TV coverage
of our relocation and grand opening, our members and staff, our programs, and the Clubhouse Shop. Our
“Dancing with the St. Louis Stars” special event was an instant success that brought us into contact with many
new friends and promises to be a signature highlight of social seasons to come.
Of real impact, more than a thousand non-member visitors came to tour the new clubhouse in the first 90
days we were open. Many of those who were most knowledgeable about the mental health field told us they
thought it set a new standard in facilities. Even better, our members love it! Our average daily attendance
continued to grow throughout the year, with younger members finding it particularly appropriate to their needs.
Independence Center became substantially more involved with mental health policy development in fiscal
year 2008. We joined the Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers, and have been actively
engaged in the Eastern Region Behavioral Health Initiative and the Missouri Transformation program of the
Department of Mental Health. We also partnered with the DMH in training other mental health agencies in
Missouri on wellness programming, under grant support from the Missouri Foundation for Health.
As one of the International Center for Clubhouse Development’s five designated U.S. training bases, we continued
to teach Clubhouse standards and philosophy to colleagues from around the nation and around the world,
including Australia, Canada and Korea. We were also visited by a large delegation of social service professionals
from Russia. These are significant exchanges for our members and staff.
For all these achievements and distinctions, the real success of Independence
Center in this or any year is in transforming the lives of our members as they face
the challenges presented by their mental illness. The challenge might be in finding a
job or a wholesome, affordable place to live. It might be returning to school or
managing a change of medications, or in overcoming the isolation and loneliness
that attend mental illness. Whatever the need, Independence Center is there
to meet it, and we can only do it because of the active concern and generous
support of friends like you.
We are deeply grateful for your investments in our members’ lives.
Sincerely,
J. Michael Keller Stephen F. Desloge
Executive Director Board President
J. Michael Keller