Our Program
We serve primarily people with past or present major mental illness, as well as a network of mental health programs and agencies in Madison and Dane County, and affillate peer support sites. Secondarily, we serve mental health care and support workers; families of our members; and the public at the level of education and arts appreciation.
We are integrated into a citywide network of people who use our facillities and social environment, as well as their supporters who refer new members to us. We are known to be a great place to make friends and enjoy company and peer support.
Members of Cornucopia pay annual dues to participate in their choice of everything that goes on here. Over half the active members do artwork. Some are volunteers in different areas of the organization. Most make Cornucopia activities part of their recovery process.
Starting in 1996 with the idea of a place for adults with major mental illness to spend some structured creative time, Cornucopia has developed a safe positive social network. Our affordable program is a departure from troubles, routines or inactivity. A small opening to creative autonomy as well as social contact. While this is not helpful to everyone who visits, most members use the situation for their own process in various ways. Some people are satisfied with a little diversion, some attend regularly.
We offer an arts, computer and internet access and wellness program. Through workshops or classes in visual art forms, members find creativity, develop ideas and skills, and exhibit work or see it published in our monthly newsletter and website. These activities provide camaraderie and social skills, creative and technical skills.
Cornucopia is peer run. It is a social network that people use to develop roles(work, advocacy, board of directors, artists) in the community. This is a center for lifelong learning in fine arts, crafts, writing, computers, wellness and team effort.
When new people call or visit, our staff and volunteers explain who we are and what we offer; inquire as to their initial impressions and experiences; make suggestions and accomadate if possible. Our environment is casual, open and respectful. With people who become active members, we try to learn and encourage their interests; and lend assistance, tools and materials to their pursuits, within our program structure.
We schedule a variety of weekly activities with paid and volunteer leaders, to help improve members’ lives in small ways. Within these friendly sessions are avenues for organized pesonal expression and wellbeing. We make available gallery, publication, movement and social space as channels for accomplishment by members.
Members have access to computers and the internet. This may include graphic arts, resume writing, and other activities.
Our newsletter includes a monthly calender, announcements and digest of recent mental health research, issues and writing by members and contributors.