Fountain House of New Jersey was founded as a sister program to Fountain House in New York City. The mission of Fountain House is to help men, women, and young adults diagnosed with serious and persistant mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, to recover and develop the skills they need to rejoin the worlds of employment, education, independent living, family, and friends. Fountain House is a pioneer in the community mental health sector and its membership model has been replicated at over 350 sites throughout the world, serving some 55,000 people.
In the 1970s, Fountain House received a bequest of 477 acres of land in northern New Jersey from a Board member who stipulated that the property known as High Point Farm be conserved as a natural resource and used for the benefit of men and women with mental illness.
High Point Farm provides members with an oasis of fresh air, open space, and natural beauty. This restful and restorative environment enables them to focus on recovery, forming community ,and building practical and work readiness skills through meaningful work on the Farm.
An average of 600 Fountain House members participate in High Point Farm's programming each year. Fountain House members range in age from 17 to over 70; 62% of the members are men and 38% are women. The majority of members have been hospitalized, have lost their jobs, and/or have experienced periods of homelessness. They all share in common the struggle to overcome mental illness in order to live a full, productive life and rediscover their potential.
