About Us
Brain Injury Network was founded in 2012 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to provide tools and a bridge of support to adult survivors of brain injury (traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxia, and brain cancer) to reconnect into life, the community, and the workplace. Our vision is to lead the DFW area in providing member-driven services and serve as the model for Brain Injury Clubhouses across the state of Texas.
BIN’s brain injury clubhouse programs instill hope, build community, and provide purpose for adults living with acquired brain injury. The comprehensive programs offer personalized support and meaningful engagement, promote independence, facilitate personal growth, and establish lasting connections.
Brain injury clubhouses use the Clubhouse Model and work-ordered day structured program to help adults with acquired brain injury become part of an active, supportive peer community. Participation is unlimited. Services are provided at no cost to the members or their families, and clubhouse membership is for life or for as long as the member desires.
BIN's two clubhouse programs currently serve adults with acquired brain injury living in 29 cities in 11 counties across North Texas. BIN provides the only brain injury clubhouse programs in Texas.
Brain Injury Network is an active and current member of the International Brain Injury Clubhouse Alliance and the Clubhouse Texas Coalition for clubhouse programs across the state of Texas.
“The amazing part for me is friendship with people who have the same issues. It means a lot for us. You lose friends sometimes because they are afraid.”
Brain Injury Network of Dallas (BIND) was established in September of 2011 by Executive Director Valerie Gotcher, MS, CCC-SLP. Mrs. Gotcher and founding board members Kelley Beck, Ph.D., CBIS, and Kevan Beijan, MEd, LPC-S, CBIS, completed four days of training, conference, and Clubhouse immersion in September 2011.
The organization began to grow from those roots, and soon after, received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Valerie, along with founding clubhouse members Ted, Carrie, Karl, and Jim, met regularly and raised $100,000 before opening the first Texas-based brain injury clubhouse in February 2015.
By the first anniversary at its physical location, BIND Plano increased to providing services 3 days a week and reached a 20-member capacity. Rapid growth continued through 2017, and the program expanded to triple the amount of space. A capacity-building grant awarded by The Moody Foundation allowed for significant program expansion – ending the third year of operation with 3 full-time staff and services available 5 days/week for members. In 2020, the clubhouse moved its clubhouses services online, reaching a record amount of brain injury survivors across the state of Texas. Expansion continued into 2022, where Brain Injury Network opened its first clubhouse location in Fort Worth (bindFW) under the direction of its new Executive Director, Brian White, MRC, LPC.
In 2024, BIND legally changed its name to Brain Injury Network (BIN) to signify the growth into a network of brain injury clubhouses. In December 2024, the clubhouses pursued a survey from CARF International and received a 3 year accreditation for its community integration services.
