Employment Services
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
In the Village's supported employment program, members are assisted in choosing, getting and keeping a job with local employers.
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.
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.
The relationship between supervisor and member on the job is one of employer to employee and not one of mental health professional to client.
Work supervisors provide extensive orientation and training to maximize members' success on the job.
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
- Members develop the attitudes and practice the behaviors they need to join the mainstream workforce.
- With the support of a team, members are more likely to try work and stay employed.
- People who never saw themselves as employable now have the rewarding experience of bringing home a paycheck.
- Members now proudly see themselves as productive workers instead of perpetual patients.