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Draw your current neighborhood. Now draw your ideal neighborhood.
These were Shannon Finnegan’s prompts for her map-making workshop at Fountain House in New York City. Fountain House’s origins date back to the late 1940’s when a group of former patients at the Rockland State Hospital, an inpatient mental health facility, began meeting on the steps of the New York Public Library. They came together for support, friendship, and encouragement. Today Fountain House owns multiple buildings on the west side of Manhattan, and has over 1,400 members. Their model—of a place for people living with mental illness to be, work, and form relationships—became known as the “clubhouse model.” It inspired the creation of similar centers all over the world.
“In my ideal neighborhood,” one participant wrote, “I live with my boyfriend and two cats. We stay out of the mental hospital and take walks along the High Line.”
Another participant labeled the public bathrooms: “Public Bathrooms . . . . . Dog walking route. very important!”
See maps in the gallery above.
Interviews with New Yorkers with disabilities
Shannon Finnegan reads excerpts from her interviews with New Yorkers with disabilities. We hear the sounds of Chelsea in the background.
CIDNY opened in 1978 and was the first independent living center in New York City. It was part of a larger international movement to provide support and services for disabled people to live on their own outside of institutions. Prior to this, many people with physical disabilities lived in state-run institutions, which were notorious for poor conditions. This movement for independent living, which was inaugurated and led by people with disabilities themselves, maintained that it wasn’t people with disabilities that needed to change; it was society, support services, and public spaces that needed to change. Disabled people fought for community-based care, accessible housing, accessible public transportation, and accessible city infrastructure. Things like curb cuts, elevators, and modern buses make it possible for more people to enjoy all the things this city has to offer. As one New Yorker with a disability said, “I like the access to theater. I can drop in to see something on a Tuesday night.”
Another theme: strangers offering to help. As one CIDNY member said: “sometimes I’m waiting for the bus and someone walks up to me and says, ‘Oh do you need help?’ I’m like, ‘I’m waiting for the bus like everyone else.’ I don’t need help all the time.” Another CIDNY member: “When people see someone with a disability, they automatically assume they’re helpless, and don’t have knowledge.”
What Finnegan heard in her interviews, however, was that New Yorkers with disabilities (and frankly, all New Yorkers) develop their own highly personal schedules, routines, routes, and support systems to help them live in this rowdy, expensive city.
What follows are reflections from a handful of Fountain House members on their favorite spots in the neighborhood. As one member said, “Lots of things have to change, but some things shouldn’t be touched.”
A bench outside of the Salvation Army, West 46th StreetPhoto by Rowa Lee
A bench on 10th AvenuePhoto by Rowa Lee
Public benches, how wonderful, you know. You can actually walk and sit and catch your breath and have a sandwich, soda, or cup of coffee.
– Fountain House member
Dunkin’ Donuts, 10th AvenuePhoto by Rowa Lee
“There used to be a Dunkin Donuts that I loved. They would throw an extra donut in my bag. Lots of members and staff hung out there.”
– Fountain House member
Fountain House, West 47th Street. Finnegan heard from Fountain House members that in the past Fountain House was able to place members in apartments near their West 47th Street location. This made it easier for members to be involved in the community at Fountain House. Due to increases in rent in the area, this is no longer the case.Photo by Rowa Lee
Someone on SSI used to be able to afford an apartment in this neighborhood.
– Fountain House member
Amy’s Bread, 9th AvenuePhoto by Rowa Lee
I also go to Amy’s Bread. I get a pumpernickel, small roll for 95 cents. And some butter. A cup of coffee with milk. And I sit there and rest my back a bit in the early morning.
– Fountain House member
Sullivan Street BakeryPhoto by Rowa Lee
Sullivan Street BakeryPhoto by Rowa Lee
Sullivan Street BakeryPhoto by Rowa Lee
(speaking about Sullivan St. Bakery)
The funny thing about this place, at one point I couldn’t get in here. Because they had a much steeper ramp, and a really small space. So I couldn’t get in, especially if there was rain or snow my wheels would get stuck. I complained to the manager and I think some other people did too. And when they remodeled, they leveled it out.
– Resident of Hell’s Kitchen
Salvation Army, West 46th St.Photo by Rowa Lee
Salvation Army, West 46th St.Photo by Rowa Lee
And I also go to the Salvation Army thrift shop on 46th Street, which is rather a large thrift shop. And I go there almost every day. They’re open till 8pm. Which is really cool. From 10am to 8pm.
– Fountain House member
We invite you to listen to an audio tour of the signs below. You can also read a transcript.
