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EMPLOYMENT
A paying job is a major indicator of self-reliance and a measure of
worth, to self and to society. The Village's employment program, with jobs
at the Village and in the community, challenges members to emphasize their
strengths and build their skills.
Description
Ÿ In the Village's supported employment
program, members are assisted in choosing, getting and keeping a job with
local employers.
Ÿ The Village operates three businesses
to provide members with time-limited paying jobs and work experience that
lead to community employment. Deli 456 is a restaurant and catering
business open to the public. The Village Maintenance Service contracts
with local businesses. An in-house mini market sells snacks and sundries.
Ÿ Other paid work at the Village
includes receptionists and data entry operators in the Village office,
tellers and money management coaches at the Village bank.
Ÿ The relationship between supervisor
and member on the job is one of employer to employee and not one of mental
health professional to client.
Ÿ Work supervisors provide extensive
orientation and training to maximize members' success on the job.
Ÿ Staff teams offer support to working
members. They discuss employment issues and non-work related problems that
may interfere with members' abilities to do their job. Levels of support
are adjusted to meet each member's needs.
Impact
Ÿ Members develop the attitudes and
practice the behaviors they need to join the mainstream workforce.
Ÿ With the support of a team, members
are more likely to try work and stay employed.
Ÿ People who never saw themselves as
employable now have the rewarding experience of bringing home a paycheck.
Ÿ Members now proudly see themselves as
productive workers instead of perpetual patients.
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