The Fairweather Lodge Enhancing the lives of adults with mental health disabilities

The Fairweather Lodge Program (FWL) is a national model developed by Dr. George Fairweather for adults with persistent mental illness.  This model is currently implemented in 10 states, including Texas.  The primary premise driving this model is that people that live together and work together can more easily recover and find stability for the long term. 

Since 1977, FWL has been serving the chronically mentally ill of San Antonio, which includes advocacy and helping these individuals regain self-sufficiency, productivity, develop a personal system of support and improve their overall quality of life.  San Antonio Family Endeavors has been successfully administrating the Fairweather Lodge Program for over 30 years.

The FWL program provides an integrated vocational, mental health, and housing support model of intervention.  Our primary goal is to help stabilize the lives of chronically homeless, or at risk, individuals with mental illness, and provide them with a renewed sense of autonomy. 

The Fairweather Programs aim for the achievement of the following goals for each of their residents:

  • Become autonomous: independent, self-directed and self-sufficient
  • Become a contributing member of the community
  • Become responsible for self and to others
  • Develop positive relationships
  • Manage home and job obligations
  • Enhance self image and self esteem
  • Develop coping skills
  • Learn to set short term and long term goals
  • Learn to live independently in a family atmosphere
  • Learn skills that will enable them to stay out of the hospital


The lodge provides:

  • Safe, stable, affordable housing
  • A family atmosphere: with love, caring and concern for others welfare, understanding, and a feeling of belonging
  • A support system: providing norms and peer support
  • Life-skills training: problem solving skills, living skills, leadership skills, group decision making, etc.

Referrals/Admissions: Contact us at: fwlcm@safamilyendeavors.org or call the Fairweather Lodge Case Manager at 210-208-5700.

fairweather program