Meet Caroline
Growing up in Centerville, Ohio, Caroline loved being outdoors. She ran cross country with her sister, watched adventure shows with her family, and spent hours creating chalk art and poetry. As a teenager, Caroline began experiencing mental health challenges that gradually disrupted her life. At 19, she was hospitalized for the first time. The next four years were marked by repeated hospital stays, medication changes, and an ongoing search for answers.
She didn't know then that one of the most important parts of her recovery would be finding a place where she belonged.
In 2018, Caroline's therapist recommended Miracle Clubhouse, a community support program for people living with persistent mental illness. The experience felt overwhelming at first. "I only knew one person," she recalled.
She became a Member and through Miracle Clubhouse's work-ordered day, Caroline found a place to contribute. She rolled silverware, helped with outreach calls, and participated in safety inspections. Working alongside staff and other Members, she began building meaningful relationships.
Membership at Miracle Clubhouse is for life, and community is central to the Clubhouse model. Someone notices when Members stop attending.
"I get out of the habit, and then three weeks go by, and they call me and say, 'Hey, what's up?'" Caroline said.
She has participated in outreach herself, calling fellow Members to invite them to events and socials. Through those conversations, she saw the impact of a simple connection.
"I think it makes a lot of people feel heard," she said. "Some people only come for holidays. They can't afford their bus pass, so they get to come once a week or whatnot. It's little, but it means a lot."
The supportive relationships she built at Miracle Clubhouse reinforced another lesson that became essential to her recovery: learning to advocate for herself. When Caroline started experiencing worsening symptoms, having the strength to advocate for herself meant quicker treatment.
"If I wouldn't have spoken up, my medication wouldn't have gotten changed," Caroline said. "You have to realize you have to stand up for yourself. My mom taught me that."
For Caroline, belonging means not having to pretend.
"Sometimes people ask how you're doing, and you just say you're fine because it's easier to say that."
Things are different at Miracle Clubhouse. Caroline now has a community around her to support her growth and journey. Her fellow Members are invested in her wellbeing and notice when she needs extra support.
Today, at 28, Caroline is in a place of stability and hope. Through outreach calls, social events, and the Writing Club, she is helping create the same sense of belonging that helped her. After hearing Brandon Saho, a mental health advocate, share his recovery story at the 2025 We are Mental Wellness luncheon, she remembers thinking, "That could be me. I could keep getting better and help other people."
Today, she’s doing exactly that. If you or someone you love could benefit from Miracle Clubhouse, please visit our website at www.gesmv.org or call 937-262-7983 for more information.