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Employment Options Selects CVS Pharmacy as Employer of the YearEmployment Options has chosen CVS pharmacy as their employer of the year for providing employment opportunities to Options Clubhouse members. The award will be presented by the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC) at their ninth annual Employer Celebration Event on Thursday, April 7, 2005 at 11:00 AM at the Great Hall of the State House, Boston. Thirty-two Massachusetts companies who employ individuals with mental illness will be honored by the MCC. The companies to be awarded have played a key role in helping adults with mental illness re-enter the workforce with confidence and support, overcoming the obstacles that have led to as few as 15% of people with persistent mental illness gaining employment. Employment Options’ Clubhouse program is a proud affiliate of the MCC and will be well represented by staff and members at this event. Options Clubhouse provides supported, independent and transitional employment to it members, working closely with various companies in the Metro West region. “We currently work with three CVS stores, 2 in Marlborough and 1 in Framingham. 4 Clubhouse members have successfully completed the transitional employment programs at these stores. The CVS store managers have been extremely accommodating throughout these transitions and with training members patiently. We encourage other employers to participate in our employment program and start a mutually benefiting relationship.” said Anupa Shah, Marketing and Employment Manager, Employment Options. “CVS has a long history of participating in innovative workforce programs that benefit individuals with special needs, as well as the community at large,” said James Bazoukas, District Manager for CVS pharmacy. “We have had great success in working with Employment Options through their Transitional Employment program to fill positions in some of our Metro West stores. Options members are excellent employees who are always willing to learn and work hard to help us take care of our customers. We would recommend Employment Options to other local businesses that are looking to hire loyal and hard-working employees.” “6 months ago I wasn’t ready to work more than 10-15 hours a week, but now I have confidence in myself to hold my own job and I know I’ll have support from Options.” says David Labossiere, Options member working at CVS, Solomon Pond Mall, Marlborough. “My supervisors and colleagues are very flexible and have trained me patiently. They gave me a chance and I am so grateful. I owe my heightened self esteem to them.” The MCC, whose membership includes over 15,000 MA citizens who have a mental illness and the 32 community rehabilitation centers called “clubhouses” that support them, will grant the awards while highlighting their campaign to raise awareness and expand employment opportunities for clubhouse members. In addition to the 32 companies awarded, the MCC will be giving 6 special awards to key employers who are helping this job expansion and visibility effort as members of The MCC Employment Expansion Project' Employer Advisory Board. Those awarded include representatives of The TJX Companies, Inc., U. Mass Medical School, The Newton Free Library, the Newton Community Development Foundation, Chartwell at Salem State College and the Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Elizabeth Childs, the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, will join the 35 invited legislators in honoring MA employers for providing critical jobs. The event is co-hosted by Senator Therese Murray, co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Over 880 Massachusetts companies employed clubhouse members in
FY 2003, according to the MCC employment survey the Massachusetts
Clubhouse Coalition released last year. The organization will release
its FY 2004 employment statistics on April 7, 2005. |
