Who We Are

THE HISTORY OF THE cLUBHOUSE

Developed in 2006 as “Leading Edge Clubhouse,” New Beginnings Clubhouse formed as an opportunity center for adults with persistent and serious mental illness. In 2020, the Clubhouse was granted conditional accreditation through Clubhouse International. During this time, the name ‘New Beginnings’ was implemented by the members of the Clubhouse. Since then, New Beginnings has achieved a successful work-ordered day where members build an abundance of skills including interpersonal, job developmental and educational skills. Members are offered the opportunities necessary to reintegrate into society and establish independence.

Exterior view of New Beginnings Clubhouse
A woman with long brown hair and fair skin, smiling, wearing a blue top, in front of beige curtains.

Judge Aleksandra Dimitrijevic

Lake County Judge
Board member since 2024

A man in a black suit and red striped tie sitting at a desk with a laptop, smiling at the camera in an office.

Charles Williams

Certified Public Accountant
Board member since 2024

A woman with black and red dreadlocks, wearing glasses, smiling, and dressed in a black top, against a plain white background.

Cynthia Kennedy

Director of Adult Intensive Services at Regional Health Systems
Board member since 2025

Professional headshot of a man with dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a grey jacket over a purple shirt and striped tie, against a blue background.

Antwon Simmons

Clinical Laboratory Associate
at Eli Lily
Board member since 2021

A woman with long, wavy, light brown hair, smiling, wearing a pearl necklace and a dark purple top, against a plain gray background.

Deann Patena

President/CEO of Crossroads Chamber of Commerce
Board member since 2021

tHE ADVISORY BOARD

New Beginnings has an independent board of directors; in some cases, if it is affiliated with a sponsoring agency, then the Clubhouse has a separate advisory board. This advisory board is comprised of individuals uniquely positioned to provide financial, legal, legislative, employment development, consumer and community support and advocacy for the Clubhouse.

A person wearing glasses, a black and white plaid shirt, and a pink cap, touching a wall with hexagonal tiles in black, orange, and glittery gray, arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

Dashawn Pertersen

Clubhouse Member

Close-up of a woman with curly hair wearing bright red glasses and smiling.
A man with brown hair and a beard taking a selfie outdoors near a creek, with trees and sunlight in the background.

Justin Sikes

Vice President of Quality/Safety and Risk Management at Trilogy
Board member since 2021

Kaley Marino

Outpatient Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Professor of Mental Health Nursing at Purdue Northwest
Board member since 2021

A smiling woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black blazer and a patterned top, standing against a gray wall, holding a jar of lotion or cosmetic product.

Lena Clouse

Pharmacy Manager at Genoa Healthcare
Board member since 2021

Close-up of a smiling woman with brown hair and earrings, wearing a light-colored knit sweater, against a gray background.

Katie Zromkowski

Occupational Therapist
Board member since 2021

A man with a white beard and glasses stands in front of a gray wall with the text "NEW BEGINNINGS CLUBHOUSE" and a green mountain logo.

Matthew Lazar

Clubhouse Member