About the AIM Center Clubhouse
Achievement. Independence. Motivation.
Since 1989, the AIM Center has been helping people lead fulfilling and productive lives, while successfully managing their mental health. We do this by offering radical acceptance, personalized support, practical resources, and expert guidance. Using the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation through Social Practice, we develop an individualized recovery plan with every member. We empower Clubhouse members to build relationships and work toward wellness side-by-side with other members and staff. Membership is open to any adult with a diagnosis of Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Recovery is a lifelong process, and our philosophy is “Once a Member, Always a Member.”
We are a private, nonprofit organization supported through foundations, public and private grants, and donations. The AIM Center is also a TennCare provider and licensed by the State of Tennessee. Learn more about how you can support the Clubhouse by visiting our Ways to Give page.
We are the only psychosocial rehabilitation facility accredited by Clubhouse International in the State of Tennessee. The AIM Center’s unique response to Tennesseans living with mental illness involves an intentional community to help people recover. The community, which is made up of trained professionals and individuals recovering from SMI, is designed to provide social practice as a nonclinical treatment approach. People are able to identify strengths, work toward recovery goals, build relationships, discover purpose, and cultivate healthy routines, all with the support and guidance of mental health professionals. Obstacles are addressed in real time, while giving people living with SMI the opportunity for guided recovery and preparing to reintegrate into society. Everything, by design, is self-directed, in order to promote self-esteem, autonomy, and resiliency, while making people feel wanted, needed, appreciated, and integrated by the community.
Our Mission.
We create hope, community, and social change to enrich and celebrate the lives of people living with serious mental illness.
Our Vision.
We envision a healthy community where all people living with mental illness achieve their highest potential.
Our Values.
We believe every person is capable of great things, deserves dignified and equitable treatment, and has the right to self-determination, opportunities, and a sense of belonging in community.
The History of the Clubhouse
In 1986, the Marcotte family, the Decosimo family, the McKinnon family, the Jacob family, the Forbes family, the Sinor family, and the Richelson family came together with a common goal: to create a place of acceptance for their loved ones who were struggling with mental illness. After visiting another Clubhouse and seeing the success of the model, they returned to Chattanooga to implement sustainable change for those with mental illness. By 1989, the AIM Center opened its doors for the first time and officially began offering services to the Tennessee Valley. Since then, more than 3,000 individuals with a SMI have been welcomed as a member with countless others receiving supportive services in our community.
The seven founding families came together to create a brighter future for individuals with serious mental illness in our community.
The AIM Center opens its doors for the first time! The Kelly House, located off McCallie Ave. welcomed individuals throughout the community. Fun fact: this house is still standing and is preserved as a historic site in our City!
We quickly outgrew our space, and in 1993 launched a $2.5 million Capital Campaign to expand our space. Pictured here are the campaign chairs.
In 1997, the AIM Center began offering permanent supportive housing for individuals with SMI throughout our community. Pictured here are some of the original, and current, properties.
In 2005, another multi-million-dollar Capital Campaign, the "Building Futures Campaign" was launched. This campaign focused on creating a new, larger space for the Clubhouse. This building is now the one we know and love as our Clubhouse!
In 2024, the AIM Center broke ground on the latest affordable housing project in Chattanooga. This new permanent supportive housing, the Espero Project, is projected to open in 2026.