Durham Herald-Sun

June 4, 2009

John McCann

Pierced by financial cuts at the state and federal levels, Threshold Clubhouse keeps on helping those with mental illness keep on.

Celebrating 24 years, Threshold is having an open house today from 4 to 7 p.m. at its 609 Gary St. location.  The general public is invited for some light hors d’oeuvres, but it’s also an opportunity for folks to get a better feel for what Threshold does to bless people like Sammy Burton, 57. 

Clarrisa Burton is Sammy Burton’s sister, and Threshold has given her brother some incentive to do better for himself, she said. Which is why she champions the organization the way she does.

And Clarrisa Burton toots the horn of people like Mike Williams and Bessie Barbour, the manager and a shift supervisor, respectively, at Starbucks Coffee on Guess Road.  Those two are responsible for te coffee and pastries the coffeeshop donates to Threshold.

With the blows to its budget, Threshold, a nonprofit organization, could use more donations – financial ones – Threshold Development Director Marya McNeish said.  There are mentally ill people here who need the help Threshold can provide, but many find themselves on the organization’s waiting list, she said.

Threshold, a nonresidential treatment program, is about integrating mentally ill adults into the mainstream, namely the workforce.

To partly understand the population of Threshold, a member – he or she would not be referred to as a patient or client – may have, for example, a master’s degree.  But he or she may hear voices too, according to Threshold executive director Susie Deter.  Bipolar disorders and schizophrenia are among the illnesses with which Threshold members grapple. 

But Deter and McNeish would tell you Threshold members enjoy getting dressed up for a night on the town, an evening in the mainstream.  Toward that end, Threshold staff each year puts on a gala that calls for a suit or a dress.  Yet some Threshold members don’t have a nice suit or a dress.  Donations from the community for items such as gowns, tuxedos, belts, dress socks and jewelry would be welcome.  Call (919) 682-4124 to contribute.  This year’s gala is Sept. 11 at the downtown Marriott.

Threshold’s once-a-member-always-a-member motto is making it difficult to reach out and touch those who may be struggling with their mental illness.  Community donations to help replenish Threshold’s food pantry, for example, would be right on time since members living on their own are allowed to come by and pick up a few things.

Generally, anything most people use day-to-day would come in handy at Threshold – things like office supplies, for instance, McNeish said.

Or maybe an individual or entity could sponsor lunch for a week, McNeish said.  Threshold members have limited income, so the organization provides breakfast for 50 cents and lunch for $1.  But those low rates are hard to sustain without some help, McNeish said.