Expanded Services

For Immediate Release

December 20, 2021

Peace River Center Expands Services to Northeast Polk County, Celebrates with Ribbon Cuttings for Club Success Lakeland and Haines City

Lakeland, FL – Peace River Center, a licensed and accredited, non-profit provider of mental health, substance use, and integrated medical services, celebrated two ribbon cuttings last week. The first took place on Thursday, December 16 for Peace River Center’s new Club Success Lakeland building which is located at 2014 Lakeland Hills Blvd. That event also included a Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Nod to Nonprofits program complete with tours by Club Success members.

Certified by Clubhouse International, Clubhouses like Club Success are nationally recognized mental illness recovery program models. There are more than 330 Clubhouses in 30 countries throughout the world that provide opportunities for work, wellness, and socialization. Attendees are called members rather than patients or clients. The Clubhouse model is designed to mirror a mainstream day in the workplace and allows members to learn responsibility, develop self-esteem, and learn to interact professionally.

“We believe that individuals living with mental illnesses can and should have the opportunity to reach their full potential in a friendly, inviting, and productive environment, and that is the focus of a Clubhouse,” said Bill Gardam, CEO of Peace River Center (PRC).

Members are responsible for using their abilities to help others and build relationships while working closely with staff and colleagues. The Clubhouse provides members with transitional employment opportunities through local community partners, guidance to secure housing, and/or continue their education. It also promotes members’ ongoing psychiatric care.

“Our Clubhouses provide opportunities to learn skills, have a structured day, and gain employment. Most importantly though, they are a place for individuals with mental illness to belong,” said Miranda Mills, Director of PRC’s Clubhouse programs.

PRC celebrated the brand new Club Success Haines City location with a ribbon-cutting and tour on Friday, December 17. The organization’s second Clubhouse is located at 751 Scenic Hwy.

“The number of individuals impacted by mental illness is continuing to grow, especially since the advent of the COVID pandemic. That’s why it’s so important for PRC to continue to expand and grow to meet the need, especially in communities like Lake Wales and Haines City,” said Gardam.

In the summer of 2021, Peace River Center opened a new Outpatient Therapy office in Lake Wales. Located at 815 State Rd 60, the new clinic began treating patients in August and offers several services such as therapy, telehealth, psychiatry, and Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder.

“At Peace River, the goal is to remove all barriers someone might face when trying to find help,” said Gardam. “By extending in-person services into more communities, we hope to provide our neighbors the opportunity to experience life-changing and life-saving care.”

Peace River Center now has over 20 locations throughout Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties. For information on accessing services in Lake Wales, individuals can call 863.248.3311. Those interested in learning more about Club Success can visit www.PeaceRiverCenter.org/clubsuccess.