By Brett Ashley Hawkins
Editorial Intern
More than 60 years ago, Fountain House in New York City created the model by which communities of persons with developmental disabilities and other staff members work in unison to run a clubhouse. Lotus House of Signal Hill is one of these establishments, and it focuses on communicating to its members that they are competent, capable, and, above all, needed. The clubhouse conducted a celebration in honor of its one-year anniversary on Friday, March 26, complete with a meal donated by Olive Garden, dancing, and an open house.
Lotus House is the second clubhouse for and run by mentally impaired adults conceived by the Alliance of Abilities. Their first, Integrity House of Fullerton, opened in 1997. Since then, it has received praise from members and those involved in the support of the mentally impaired.
“Programs I attended before coming to Lotus House were dull, boring, and people there treated me like a child instead of an adult,” said Thomas Nicholson, one of the Lotus House members. “You have the chance to become a productive member of society.”
With only four members at its start one year ago, Lotus House has climbed to 31 members, with two-thirds of their membership coming most days. Members work by cleaning, filing, greeting, handling paperwork, and many more office positions that allow them to have the opportunity to work.
Lotus House is located at 999 E. Willow St., Suite 100 in Signal Hill.
