MA CLUBHOUSE COALITION

Massachusetts 2009 Employment Celebration Event

Over 300 legislators, people recovering from the effects of mental illness, family members, advocates and the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health gathered at the Statehouse in Boston on April 29, 2009 to celebrate the many ways that people with depression and other mental illnesses enrich our communities and to recognize the Massachusetts businesses that employ them. The Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC) released their latest employment survey demonstrating that over 1,880 Massachusetts citizens who have a mental illness earned over $11.8 million in FY 08. Those whose employment accomplishments were celebrated received rehabilitative and recovery support from 32 Massachusetts centers called "Clubhouses" that help people who have mental illness move on with their lives by returning to work, finishing school or gaining an apartment, with support, in the community.

Representatives from over forty companies traveled to the Statehouse to accept awards for providing opportunities for people who have a disability, enabling them to succeed. The companies awarded included Maloney Properties in Newton, Trader Joe's in Shrewsbury, Market Basket in North Andover, Reading and Fitchburg, the Westfield Public Schools, Marshalls in Haverhill and the Sun Chronicle in Attleboro. Each company is employing people who have a mental illness with the support of DMH funded Clubhouse inclusion and recovery centers that help adults who have mental illness live successfully in the community. Forty-three legislators and their offices presented the awards to the employer honoree.

Senator Jennifer Flanagan, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, applauded the employers for "taking a stand against the stigma of mental illness. Everyone deserves the opportunity to earn their own pay." Flanagan stated before presenting awards to a group of employers who have joined the MCC's National Employment Expansion Project Employer Advisory Board. The employers on this Advisory Board are helping to spread the word in the business community, both in Massachusetts and Nationally, that hiring people who have mental illness with Clubhouse support helps their companies as well as those they employ. Jeremy Scott, Vice President for ServiceMaster, Norfolk Division, who serves on the National Employer Advisory Board and employs members of Neponset Rivers House in Norwood, told the group, "I am proud to be an employer of Clubhouse members and a participant in your employment success. Hiring Clubhouse members is not only the right thing to do, it makes good business sense."

Drawing attention to the fact that many people have worked successfully to overcome the effects of psychiatric illness, the MCC hopes to counter the negative stereotypes that often serve as a barrier to people with mental illness securing employment. "This Employment Celebration draws attention to the many employers who are thrilled with their employees who have mental illness who enjoy the support of our 32 Clubhouses in Massachusetts" said Reva Stein, Executive Director of the MCC.

Massachusetts Clubhouse inclusion and rehabilitation centers are funded primarily by the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Each center provides services, supports and information to adults with mental illness who want to regain control of their social and economic lives by returning to work. Participants, "members", help to run the centers alongside paid staff and receive assistance in gaining an education, employment and housing while enjoying support from fellow members and staff. DMH Commissioner Barbara Leadholm congratulated the employers, remarking "You have shown us that tearing down those barriers is possible. It is also the right thing to do. We recognize the compassion and community-mindedness of the business leaders here today. Your business sense is very keen. By finding outstanding employees through the Clubhouses and by considering their abilities rather than disabilities, you are creating the road to recovery for many consumers, pathways for talented, skillful and enthusiastic employees to be contributing, integral members of their communities".

Leonard Campbell, an employee of DoggieDay Pet Services, and a member of Transitions of Boston Clubhouse, located in Dorchester, talked about his recovery, "With support from the people at Transitions of Boston and DoggieDay, I have been working full time since October 2008 and I'm no longer on SSI. This has been an amazing journey for me. I'm now more confident, independent, and I have a sense of purpose. Thank you everyone, and remember - Clubhouse works!"