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Employment Options honors employers, employees at banquet Anupa Shah, Employment Options' marketing and employment manager, said the event theme signifies the organization's modus operandi. "We always work as a team, whether it be between a member and a staff, or between two staff or between two members, or whether it be between the employer and us," Shah said. "And we rely on teamwork to be the backbone of everything we do here." Even the event's guest speakers were a team. A mother-daughter duo gave a joint speech, passing the microphone back and forth as they recounted their individual experiences of living with the daughter's mental illness. Brooke Katz and her mother, Elise Katz, received a standing ovation after they shared their journey through Brooke's tormenting hallucinations, her repeated hospitalizations, their lengthy battle of finding the right medications, and the family's perseverance through it all. Brooke, a third-year nursing student at Simmons College and author of "I Think I Scared Her: Growing Up with Psychosis," cast hope to the audience that recovery is possible when supports are in place. Toni Wolf, executive director of Employment Options, said that Brooke and Elise's story exemplifies why ongoing mental health service availability is needed. "We really believe in long-term supports here," Wolf said, "and so, any funders that are in the room - that's what we want to keep focusing on is long-term supports so that people can come in and out when they need it." Shah was pleased with the results of having a fund-raising component added to the awards ceremony for the first time. "We've had an absolutely great response from all the local companies in trying to get sponsorships and gifts in kind," she said, "and also in trying to send the message across that it's really important for the mental health of our members. We thank the community for the support we're receiving." Peterson said supports offered by Employment Options have been helpful to him. He's employed at CVS in Marlborough, where he said he enjoys working with the public. On Tuesday nights at Employment Options, he said he has the chance to attend "job club," where members talk about issues related to their employment. "Employment Options is so important in this community because people have a place where they can get help," Peterson said. "They're my support group. They're there when you need them." Employment Options continues to seek financial backing from community members and businesses for their programming needs. To sign on as a fiscal friend or for more information about employment partnerships or agency services, call (508) 485-5051 or visit www.employmentoptions.org. |
Marlborough
- David Peterson said Employment Options Inc. is like family to
him. He was among the award recipients May 19 when the organization
that serves people with mental illness and low income held their
annual employment awards banquet at the agency's clubhouse in Marlborough.
The event honored 30 area employers who partner with Employment
Options to hire their members, and honored 68 member employees for
their work through the program. This year's banquet was themed "teamwork,"
and for the first time, included a fund-raising component to help
sustain the organization's ongoing support of members.