![SOURCE DONATION: The Source Club Society, a prevocational rehabilitation program and clubhouse for people struggling with mental illness, hosted an annual summer barbecue Friday, July 21. [From left] Source Club member Amber Schindel, Source Club board chair Maggie Hathaway, Pacific Coastal Airlines president Quentin Smith and current Powell River city councillor Cindy Elliott, who was in the role of acting mayor at the event in the absence of mayor Ron Woznow.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/organizations/2841_the_source_bbq_3.JPG;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
The Source Club is a prevocational rehabilitation program and a much-needed place to socialize for those struggling with mental illness in the qathet region.
On July 21, the club hosted a barbecue with invited society board members, club members and Pacific Coast Airlines president Quentin Smith and family. Smith presented a $40,000 cheque to the Source Club Society shortly after participants helped themselves to hamburgers, salad and dessert provided by club members.
“In 1992, the first Pacific Coastal Airlines annual golf tournament/fundraiser was held at Myrtle Point Golf Course in Powell River,” said former city councillor and current Source Club Society board chair Maggie Hathaway. “The tournament became an annual event, now held in the Lower Mainland, and this year raised a whopping $40,000 for the Source Club.”
Hathaway, who was in attendance at the barbecue, said it was her work with Legal Services Society (Legal Aid) in Powell River as a poverty law advocate that led her to become involved with mental health advocacy.
“At the time there was no place for people with mental illness to socialize [at the old hospital], and in 1987 Powell River’s psychiatrist, Dr. Peter Uhlmann, created a space in the basement for socialization and some structured programming,” said Hathaway. “Government funding was achieved and a coordinator was hired, and the program came under the auspices of the Powell River Employment Program, which is now Lift [Community Services].”
The Source Club is currently located in an unassuming oasis in Westview, a little house surrounded by fresh herbs, flowers, a shaded patio and a large garden in the back.
“Past and present activities run by the club include: improv classes, a gardening program, cooking and baking projects, a salvage and garage sale program, a walking program, yoga classes and a summer student program, which provides daily excursions for members as well as an overnight camping trip,” said Hathaway.
The first clubhouse was located in Townsite but, after many fundraising activities over the years, the current house was bought at the end of Cumberland Place and is now the club’s permanent home. The space is not only a place to socialize but a place for folks to learn practical life and work skills.
“In 1991, the Source Club began providing the coffee shop services at the then Malaspina College [now Vancouver Island University tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus],” said Hathaway. “This program continues today and is called the Food for Thought Cafe.”
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