Marlborough resident bolsters Employment Options board

Marlborough - When Toni Wolf, executive director of Employment Options Inc., made an announcement last fall at an agency-wide meeting for staff and members that the organization needed a new board member to fill an open seat, Bob Recko jumped at the chance. He said Employment Options saved his life. Now he's serving as a lifeline of sorts for the board, offering an invaluable perspective.
Employment Options provides a "home away from home," where people can prevail over obstacles to employment, grow, and find independence and hope. Their clubhouse program is a center of mutual support where adults recovering from mental illness help one another find jobs and general wellness.
As for what inspired Recko to join the board, he said, "I like doing stuff for the club." He's been "a part of the club" since 1985, and said he welcomed the chance to be able to present information that's discussed at board meetings back to staff and members at the club because they might not otherwise hear about.
Vice versa, he presents information at board meetings that helps the board gain better insight into the needs of program members. And he helps the board make decisions about how to best meet those needs.
While the skills needed to be on the board might come naturally for some of the members, Recko had to work to develop his.
"It's a lot of listening," Recko said. "You have to really pay attention … I'm learning a lot, and even though I have a mental illness and I never thought I could do something like this, it's a learning experience for me. And I'm enjoying it, meeting nice people on the board."
Working to develop his attention span and listening skills aren't the only challenges Recko has had to triumph over. He used to be reclusive and stay in his room during the day. He has battled depression and a substance problem. Now, he's been sober for 11 years, holds a job, comes to the clubhouse five days per week, and - through his role as board member - is developing more skills while helping others.
"It's great," Recko said about his board work, "but it's early in the morning. They meet about 8, but it's been fun."
It's a great feeling, he added, to be part of the board as a member of the clubhouse, to be asked what he thinks about different issues, and to be listened to.
Some of what Recko has learned by participating in the clubhouse has helped him to realize his ability to be an effective board member.
"It's taught me that even though I have a mental illness, I can do things. It might take me longer, but you know they get done, and they get done right," he said.
Recko's aspirations don't stop with his Employment Options board position. He hopes one day to use the skills he's learning on the board to become a board member for another organization in the community.
"That would be the biggest thing for me," he said, "if someone came up to me and said, 'We're looking for a person to sit on our board. Would you like to do it?'"

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