We are the Fountain House Workers Union - a collaboration of direct-service workers who utilize the bonds of community to support adults living with serious mental illness. Our organization is founded on the idea that recovery is real, possible, and attainable. Among us are social workers, residential counselors, facilities technicians, employment specialists, and care coordinators. Across our titles, our commitment to the mission of Fountain House is the same: to work within the Clubhouse model supporting members as they recover from the symptoms and stigma of mental illness.

We're passionate about the work we do and the community we've built. However, before unionizing in 2020, Fountain House became a harder and harder place to envision a career. Wages stagnated as the cost of living in New York steadily grew. At the moment just before we ratified our first contract, 25% of direct service positions were vacant. Many of our workers contemplated whether they could afford to stay in a community they deeply loved. Out of dedication to our fellow workers and the members we serve, the union was formed.

Since then we’ve been planning, organizing, and fighting to make Fountain House a better place and a stronger community. We’ve just ratified our second contract and have made so much progress towards an experienced, equitable, and diverse workplace - but our work has just begun. This kind of progress isn’t cheap. As we maintain our momentum, we realize we have a need for resources to support our growth. With more money, we could ensure that we can communicate consistently with our membership, host regular meetings, and keep union materials accessible to all our workers.

Any donations are greatly appreciated. We know better than anyone how much we can do when we stand together as a community. Thank you for standing with us.