Learn & Enjoy

In conjunction with the core work-ordered day activities, a variety of recreational programming is available at the Clubhouse, thanks to funding by the Mental Health Services Act in partnership with Contra Costa Mental Health.

Multimedia Program: Tuesdays 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The Multimedia Program on Tuesday evenings features self-expression through storytelling, film, photography, and blogging. Members work on camera presence, practice developing their own style of storytelling, and share parts of themselves online through blogging. In order to build and practice multimedia skills, members are invited to participate in a variety of ways in group projects, such as making short movies, working on a series of video stories of famous people with mental illness, creating photo collages, and more. The skills developed range from understanding camera work and story boarding to utilizing Photoshop and feeling comfortable with web-based work. The program allows members with different interests to participate in varying ways. Some members prefer to act, some prefer to film, and others enjoy research.

For more information about the Multimedia Program, please contact Bobby Bambey or Lizzie Montoya at (925) 691-4276 or robert@putnamclubhouse.org or lizzie@putnamclubhouse.org.

Expressive Arts Program: Wednesdays 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The music element of our Expressive Arts Program features music appreciation and performance. Members are given the opportunity to share their love of music by performing and teaching each other.  Members sang holiday carols for patients at John Muir Hospital. The group also wrote and performed an original song in honor of the Clubhouse’s second anniversary. The evening program is divided into segments in order to meet members’ interests and abilities. After dinner, various forms of music are explored and discussed. Members are encouraged to bring in the music they love to share with others. Throughout all these activities, friendships are formed and everyone has a great time.

The visual arts component of the Expressive Arts Program gives members a chance to express themselves through 2-D and 3-D art projects. Supplies are provided by the Clubhouse, and through donations. All the members need to bring is their own creative initiative. Members have made books, jewelry, paper mâché birds, ornaments, and origami. They’ve worked with clay and paint in addition to so much more. Writing activities are also offered, including playwriting, performance, spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and fiction.

TGIF: Fridays 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Each Friday night members enjoy a “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” Party with food, games, karaoke, dancing, movies and more during a safe, substance-free evening of fun. Once a month, TGIF is held at an East County location.

Weekend Programming:

Weekend programming balances out a member’s participation at the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse is open at least one weekend day per month, often for outdoor outings such as skating or hiking.