Eco-Friendly Social Enterprise Fountain House & Body Reopens in New, Larger, Hell’s Kitchen Location

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Fountain House & Body, the beloved social enterprise by NYC-based Fountain House, has reopened with new offerings — including a cafe — and a larger space at 698 10th Ave. Fountain House & Body operates with a triple bottom line: to provide meaningful paid work opportunities to people living with serious mental illness; to produce and sell environmentally sustainable, low-waste products; and to generate a profit to sustain and enhance Fountain House’s award-winning employment programs.

Since its creation in 2019, Fountain House & Body has employed more than 99 people living with serious mental illness. It has partnered with several social enterprises — including Emma's Torch and Iris Hantverk — to sell products with shared missions and values. The original social enterprise location was established with the support of the Kate Spade New York Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.

“We are excited to expand the Fountain House & Body offerings for our Hell’s Kitchen community and employment opportunities for our members in this beautiful new location,” remarked Fountain House Employment Director Stephanie Nieves. “In 1953, Transitional Employment was invented at Fountain House and is now used internationally as a model to challenge stigma around the illness and help adults living with it return to work. In 2013, we started our social enterprises in response to the changing landscape of employment in New York City. We love the unique opportunity that our storefront provides to break the stigma of serious mental illness, while providing meaningful, dignified work opportunities.”

“Since starting work at Fountain House & Body, I have realized that I can successfully juggle the multiple responsibilities of retail and customer service, and I feel like an alchemist as I imbue my creative flair and whimsy into the products we make,” said Serafin, a Fountain House member. “Our new location presents endless opportunities for conversation, interaction and creation, and I can’t wait to share a coffee or make a custom candle — I highly recommend a Saffron and Cedarwood combo–with our new patrons.”

Since its inception, employment has been the cornerstone of Fountain House’s programming as it is the activity that most clearly speaks to the fundamental belief that people living with serious mental illness are contributing and productive members of society. Currently, Fountain House members — individuals living with serious mental illness — work at over 40 major corporations and have achieved an employment rate nearly double the US average for people with mental illness.

This summer, Fountain House & Body will host a conversation series and pop-up events. Customers will have the opportunity to learn more about Fountain House, meet members of our community and enjoy light refreshments.

Fountain House & Body is located at 698 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019.

About Fountain House: For 75 years, Fountain House has been a beacon of hope and recovery for people living with serious mental illness. Through our direct service clubhouse programs in New York City and Los Angeles, as well as national policy, advocacy, and research initiatives, we have transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people living with serious mental illness.

Founded in 1948 in New York City, Fountain House originated the clubhouse model of community mental health that has been replicated more than 380 times in nearly 40 U.S. states and in 30 countries around the world.

Photo by Kelly Han.