NEW TAIPEI CITY—A delegation from the School of Social Work at Rutgers University, New Jersey, led by Professor Chien-Chung Huang, recently visited the Rivershore Clubhouse, a collaborative service center for individuals with psychiatric disabilities in Xindian District, New Taipei City. Commissioned by the New Taipei City Government and operated by the Taipei Mental Rehabilitation Association, the clubhouse promotes community-based recovery by fostering partnership and peer support, with the aim of helping members gradually achieve independent living. The visiting US students were deeply impressed by the model and actively engaged in dialogue, resulting in productive exchanges and mutual learning.

Dr. Mei-Chen Lee, Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department, stated that in alignment with the second-phase Social Safety Net initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Social and Family Affairs Administration, New Taipei City has established four collaborative service centers for persons with mental disabilities. These centers are located in Tucheng, Sanchong, Xinzhuang, and Xindian Districts. Built upon a community-based model, the centers aim to encourage greater engagement from service users and foster meaningful partnerships through shared participation with peers and staff. These efforts are intended to promote independent living for persons in mental health recovery. The Rivershore Clubhouse in Xindian held its opening reception on May 20, 2025.

The faculty and student delegation from Rutgers University School of Social Work visited the Rivershore Clubhouse on the 26th. Professor Chien-Chung Huang expressed the delegation’s hope to gain insights into New Taipei City’s community-based service model for persons with mental disabilities by observing operations at both the Rivershore Clubhouse and local community mental health centers. He also noted their intention to learn from the underlying principles and best practices of these services to adapt them into culturally responsive models that meet local needs.

During her presentation, Rivershore Clubhouse Supervisor Mei-Chi Zhang shared that the concept of the clubhouse model dates back to 1943, when a group of individuals discharged from psychiatric hospitals wrote to the authorities, expressing their desire to maintain mutual peer support within the community. This led to the formation of the WANA (We Are Not Alone) organization, which eventually established Fountain House in New York in 1948. The clubhouse featured a de-medicalized, open environment with extensive use of whiteboards to encourage shared expression and collaboration.

Mei-Chi Zhang explained that Taiwan’s collaborative service model for individuals with mental disabilities draws inspiration from the philosophy of American clubhouses. At the Rivershore Clubhouse, for instance, there is a “Black Shop” Food Service Unit (a member-run kitchen team named with local humor), where members convene meetings to divide responsibilities such as grocery shopping and meal preparation. They decide the lunch menu together through a consensus-based approach. All social workers and staff members engage with the clubhouse members as partners rather than supervisors.

The Rivershore Clubhouse is open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and operates on a membership basis. For inquiries, please call (02) 8919-3028.
Source: Kuei-min Yang, Chief of the Division of Welfare Services for the Disabled, 29603456 ext. 3830
Contact Person: Shu-ting Chen, 29603456 ext. 3619
Media Contact: Hsiu-sui Lin, 29603456 ext. 3713; Ching-kuei Chen, 29603456 ext. 3601
Contact: Ching-kuei Chen
Affiliation: Social Welfare Department Headquarters, New Taipei City Government
Extension: 3601
Email: AI6663@ms.ntpc.gov.tw