Protest over the closing of The Clubhouse in Wausau, WI. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Members of Community Corner Clubhouse protested outside North Central Health Care Thursday afternoon, calling for the program to stay open.
Protestors wanted to spread awareness of the clubhouse’s importance.
“We want our voices heard,” Kelly Kaufman, Clubhouse member and protest organizer, said. Kaufman and other members planned the protest for two weeks, hoping to get the word out and to save the clubhouse in any way they can.
“We want to work with the North Central Health Care) and the County Board to come up with solutions to stay open,” Kaufman said. “We know it’s going to be a hard road but we think we can do it.”
They say the service is vital in helping those dealing with mental health and addiction to learn life and job skills, gain confidence and make friends. North Central Health Care announced the closure in early August, citing costs.
“If we look at the budget for next year for North Central Health Care, we are trying to find any way possible that we can save funds, or consolidate programs to prevent duplication,” Mort McBain, Interim Executive Director of North Central Health Care, said. He says that while he doesn’t think it’s possible to keep the Clubhouse exactly how it is now, they are working to make sure clients still have the resources it provides.
A final closing date has not yet been decided, with McBain saying it will depend on when they can transition clients to other programs, but it is expected by the end of the year.
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