MA CLUBHOUSE COALITION

Business Leaders Celebrated for Diversifying Workforce

Forty-two companies that employ Massachusetts residents who have mental illness gathered at the statehouse on Tuesday, April 5 th to receive recognition from their legislators, the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC) and the members and staff of 33 DMH funded Clubhouse recovery centers. Awards were presented to them for their efforts to diversify their workforces and welcome onto their staff adults who are working to recover. The MCC released preliminary results of their annual employment survey, demonstrating that over 1,900 adults with mental illness earned more than $13.1 million dollars in FY10 with the support of Massachusetts Clubhouses. Clubhouse employment and recovery centers serve more than 8,300 citizens annually, providing a productive place to spend time during the day and assistance in gaining employment, an education, housing and peer support.

Governor Patrick spared these Clubhouse centers from the budget cutting axe in October, 2009 as a way to continue funding services for those most vulnerable. Now the centers are slated for a cut of $3 million, seventeen percent of their funding, unless legislators intervene and protect the services. Adults and young adults who have mental illness, their families and advocates plan to rally in front of the statehouse on Thursday, April 7 th at 11:30am in an attempt to stop the proposed cut to their safety net. While the members work to prevent this threat, the centers gathered to honor the employers who have recognized talent and ability instead of choosing to focus on the disability of those they employ.

Dan Wolfson, a member of Charles Webster Potter Place , a Clubhouse in Waltham , spoke about his job at the Boston Marriott, Newton and the support the Clubhouse provided that helped him get and keep his job. “I can honestly say that the job is helping me stay on track with my recovery from Mental Illness. The job gives me something to look forward to everyday. It gives me a chance to test my abilities to handle hard work and to organize my thinking process” Mr. Wolfson told the crowd of over 250 employers, legislators, Clubhouse members and staff. “I have a lot of support from the Clubhouse, my counselors and from my family and friends… I am so grateful to the hotel and Potter Place for the opportunity to work on developing both my career and my own confidence.” This is also true for Bob, a member of Westwinds Clubhouse in Fitchburg . “Westwinds not only helped me get a job, but they provided support and they make sure that I am doing well. Now I am independent with my and job and don't need the support as much for the job, however, Westwinds offers other supports that help me with my recovery.” Kari Grier Evjy a member of Potter Place , has been an employee of Bay State Financial Services, formerly Strategic Financial Partners, for eight years. Kari worked several temporary jobs with the support of the Clubhouse at New York Life Insurance Company, at the bakery at Shaws Supermarket in Waltham and at the Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce before landing her job at Strategic Financial Partners. Kari currently works as a mailroom clerk at Bay State and assists the company with additional clerical duties such as delivering packages, shredding documents and collecting faxes. “I like the feeling of being needed and appreciated” said Ms. Evjy. “It is the greatest feeling to do a job well and then to earn a pay check for what I have accomplished. I started coming to the Clubhouse in 1993 and I was hopeful that they might help me get a job. I didn't know if I could work. Now I am employed and I am loving it! With the help of Potter Place I am more confident and now I am teaching others in the Clubhouse computer skills. I help other members because I know what it is like to feel sad and have anxiety and have no where to turn. Now I can provide a shoulder to cry on if needed or help members believe that they can accomplish what I have”. Jeff Lander, owner of Appilistic, a soft ware company spoke during the event and told the crowd that it was a wise business decision for him to hire Clubhouse members. One member of Forum House in Westfield has been working for him for over ten years and has been a real asset to his company he told the assembled group.

Special awards were presented to business leaders who serve on the MCC organized National Employment Expansion Project Employer Advisory Board. These sixteen business leaders include: John Peacock, Executive Director, Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Tom Manning , Deputy Chancellor, Commonwealth Medicine, and Bill Tsaknopoulos, Director of Auxiliary Services, UMASS Medical School, Nancy Perlow , Director, Newton Free Library, Patrick Flavin , AVP Manager of Workforce Initiatives, The TJX Companies, Nancy Lane, CEO, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, Bob Scott , Manager of Operations and Facilities and Rusty D'Arconte, Division Vice President , The Sun Chronicle, John Hayes , Resident District Manager, Chartwells Dining Services, Salem, State, Jeff Lander, Owner, Appilistic soft ware company, Jeanne Strickland, Executive Director, Newton Community Foundation, Greg Griffin, Torigian Family YMCA, Jeremy Scott, Vice-president of Operations, Service Master Clean, Jack Chianese, Environmental Services Director, Milford Regional Hospital, and Rob Galeski, Doggie Day Care, Boston. The Project has engaged the leadership of over 75 companies who are reaching out to their colleagues encouraging them to explore hiring Clubhouse members.