Pacific Clinics marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of its latest Clubhouse in Needles, California. This event heralded a new era of accessible mental health peer support services in the Mojave Desert, long-awaited by the local community.
The journey to this achievement reflects years of dedication from our employees. Through consistent teleservices and monthly food distributions, combined with the unwavering collaboration of key community partners—including the city of Needles Mayor, the City Manager’s Office, the City Council, and the San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health leadership team—this vision has now become a reality.
The open house event included lunch and an opportunity to connect with Clubhouse employees and members. Following the warm welcome, attendees heard from distinguished speakers, such as:
- Maria Murillo, Regional Executive Director, Inland Empire, Pacific Clinics
- Mauricio Cruz, Clubhouse Program Director, Pacific Clinics
- Elizabeth Hayden, Chamber of Commerce Representative
- Janet Jernigan, Mayor of the City of Needles
- Maribel Gutierrez, Deputy Director, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health
- Clubhouse members, who shared firsthand testimonials about the transformative impact of Clubhouse programs
The event drew a wide array of honored guests, underscoring the strong community support. Among the attendees were representatives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Billet Health, Department of Aging and Adult Services, Firehouse Ministries, Palo Verde College, San Bernardino County Library and St. Vincent de Paul Society.
“We are thrilled to bring the Clubhouse Program to Needles with a dedicated physical location. This new space allows us to deepen our commitment to the community by offering vital programs and resources that make a real difference in people’s lives. We look forward to continuing to support and empower Needles residents through this incredible opportunity,” says Regional Executive Director, Inland Empire Maria Murillo.
The Needles Clubhouse program promises to be a hub of peer support, empowerment and growth for individuals in the region.
