The organization's stated mission is "to create the community, innovation, and social change needed for people most impacted by mental illness to lead connected and healthy lives.
"[1] The organization aims to address the isolation and social stigmatization faced by people with serious mental illness and provides assistance with housing, employment, education, community-building, and general wellness.
[6] WANA – which was created by and for people with serious mental illness – aimed to provide support to patients who were being discharged from hospitals back into their communities.
[9] Beard's pioneering philosophy emphasized mutually supportive relationships between members and staff, in the context of carrying out meaningful everyday tasks.
[13] In 1999, film maker Torstein Blixfjord directed a short performance piece to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Fountain House organisation in New York City.