For years, residents in the high desert communities of San Bernardino County have faced isolation and limited access to mental and behavioral health resources. Last week, Pacific Clinics moved to close that gap by celebrating the opening of its sixth Clubhouse location in the Inland Empire with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 16127 Kasota Road.
The Clubhouse’s model is a research-backed approach that emphasizes mutual support and shared experience rather than traditional clinical treatment, which Pacific Clinics has operated since 2002. The free, peer-driven community space offers a place where members can share meals, develop coping skills, access computers and Wi-Fi, and find local assistance with housing and other essential services without requiring insurance or payment.
More than 70 community leaders, elected officials, behavioral health advocates, employees and club members gathered for the opening. Present were representatives from the offices of Congressman Jay Kim, Assemblyman Tom Lackey, San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Paul Cook, the Adelanto City Mayoral Office, the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health and the Town of Apple Valley. In addition, members of the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce and Pacific Clinics leadership, employees and Board member Russ Chung were in attendance.
“Opening a Clubhouse program in Apple Valley means creating a place where people are not defined by their challenges but empowered by their potential and purpose. This generates hope in the heart of the community,” said Mauricio Cruz, program director at Pacific Clinics.
Samuel Shute, representing San Bernardino Supervisor Paul Cook’s office, has been tracking the project for months. “We’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while,” said Shute. “We’re very excited for this partnership and this Clubhouse, especially for bringing it into my hometown.”
Pacific Clinics has partnered with San Bernardino County for decades to deliver mental health services, a collaboration Candy Curiel, senior clinical director, said made the new Clubhouse possible.
“Meaningful change happens when we unite and come together as one to serve our community,” said Curiel.
The Apple Valley location joins existing Clubhouses in Rialto, Lucerne Valley, Yucca Valley, Needles and Yucaipa. Each site serves adults over 18 with lived experience of mental health conditions, offering daily lunches, peer-led support groups, wellness recovery planning and social activities ranging from crafts to celebrations.
The celebration concluded with officials cutting the ribbon on the facility. Like the rest of Pacific Clinics’ Clubhouses, the one in Apple Valley will also be renamed by the community board of members who find comfort in the space.
