One local nonprofit held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new clubhouse in Carrboro earlier this month.

Founded in 1987, Club Nova serves those in the Orange County community who have a serious mental illness – such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression – by providing opportunities for employment, education, and emotional and social support.

The Club Nova community center and clubhouse is being revamped after the nonprofit’s previous buildings were falling into disrepair.

The former facilities at 103 West Main Street in Carrboro included two buildings with crumbling foundations, leaking roofs, dangerous staircases, limited accessible space, and overcrowded areas for study and job preparation.

The new building, to be erected in the same location, will be an overhaul to fix those problems.

The fundraising goal for the new Club Nova site is $4.3 million. So far, the nonprofit has raised $3.5 million.

With these funds, Club Nova plans to build a new, fully accessible, “state-of-the-art” clubhouse. Some of the features of the planned 9,000-square-foot, two-story building include a greenhouse and garden, a stargazer terrace, a 70-person dining room, and a full commercial kitchen.

The nonprofit plans to go from serving 45 people a day to more than 100 with these new amenities.

Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle said Club Nova plays a critical role in helping those who suffer from serious mental health concerns – especially following what has been a very difficult year.

“As we’re in the moment, just reminding people that it’s okay to feel however you feel,” Lavelle said. “In particular for folks who already struggle with mental health, it’s another challenge.”

The groundbreaking of the new Club Nova facility also coincides with national Mental Health Awareness Month – which is recognized during the month of May.

“This year the theme is ‘you are not alone,’” Lavelle said. “It kind of talks about how hard this past year has been – not just on all of us – but particularly folks who have different kinds of mental illness on top of dealing with the pandemic and all the stressors of that.”

With 1 in 25 people living with a serious mental illness, Club Nova hopes to provide relief to those suffering and the tools for a brighter future.

You can learn more about the new renovations, or donate to the building campaign, here.

Lead photo via Club Nova. 


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