Bonnie McGuire has not been in daily contact with Larry Pottorff, CEO of North Range Behavioral Health, in the eight years since she came to Frontier House, a community center in Greeley that helps individuals with mental illness. did.
The North Range program, Frontier House, follows a therapeutic philosophy known as the Clubhouse Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
Founded in New York City in the late 1940s, the internationally recognized concept of Clubhouse Rehabilitation is a non-traditional outpatient approach to managing mental health challenges. The Frontier House and Clubhouse models are based on the belief that individuals can access support and services, interact with family and friends, engage in work, and live a normal life.
Pottorf, the outgoing North Range CEO, brought the clubhouse philosophy to Greeley in 1990 as the founding director of Frontier House. Frontier House is the oldest clubhouse program in Colorado.
Pottorf was honored at the Frontier House on Monday afternoon, with the gardens bearing his name dedicated in front of the building at 1407 8th Ave.
“Without his direction, this place wouldn’t exist,” McGuire said. “He cares so much about community and mental health.”
Frontier House opened its doors on April 1, 1990 in a building at 1103 Fifth Avenue near the intersection with 11th Avenue.
Mr. Pottorff was one of the leaders of the North Range and Frontier Houses and spoke at the brief celebration. Mr. Pottorff credited his colleagues who participated in founding Frontier House and honored the approximately 1,400 members who participate in the program.
“I’m really grateful that the Clubhouse has continued to grow,” Pottorff said after the ceremony. Today, seeing how it has grown and thrived, I am proud that it has grown.”
The new garden has a stone inscribed with Pottorf’s name surrounded by natural grasses, plants and flowers that represent Frontier House’s motto, ‘A Place to Grow’.
Jennifer Euler, North Range Chief Human Resources Officer, said:
Euler succeeded Pottorf as director of Frontier House in 1995.
“It’s hard for me to put into words,” Euler said of Pottorf after the ceremony. “It’s about his character. His lifelong compassion and service to others.”
Other individuals who spoke at the Pottorff ceremony were Frontier House program director Renee Schell, North Range’s incoming CEO Kim Collins, and Frontier House members Clark Bacco and Ashlyn McMillan.
McGuire, 33, of Greeley, said she has dealt with complex mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. McGuire is a shy person, and Frontier’s House has given her the confidence to interact with others. She McGuire said she’s been having a tough time lately. She has many challenges, but she is working on them.
“I have the support of this place. I don’t know what I would do with my days without the support,” McGuire said.
McGuire said individuals who come to Frontier House must undergo a mental health diagnosis and a referral from a therapist.
One component of the Frontier House, and one component of the Clubhouse model of treatment, is the participation of members (not called clients) in the work of the House. This job involves planning and preparing meals. Maguire says he prepares 30 to 35 meals a day at Frontier House. There are also clerical tasks to accomplish, such as answering phones, learning to budget, and interacting with people.
Pottorff described the frontier house and clubhouse models as “safe places” where members are needed, expected to participate, and expected. Pottorff also said the model operates on the basis of research on its effectiveness, resulting in improved quality of life for members, successful employment, and fewer hospitalizations and incarceration.
“It’s more about life, getting a job, building friendships, and learning to work through interpersonal challenges in an accepting environment,” Pottorf added. to know.”
