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Banks: Stories of courage, inspirationFirst-time visitors to Employment Options' Clubhouse will find it inviting. For that matter, so will long-time members. Tucked off Brigham Street in Marlborough, the agency has occupied the newly renovated building for about 18 months, although the program has been around for 15 years. The facility consists of one large room divided only by colors, not by walls. And the color scheme could have been done by a top-notch decorator. Off the large room are smaller rooms for recreation, cooking and administration. But it's the people who belong to Employment Options and the staff who make it a special place. Employment Options helps people with mental illness get a job and get back on their feet. The in-house kitchen helps prepare them for jobs in the food service industry, the staff provides the support, and the building provides a home away from home. But it's the members who tell Employment Options' real story. Members and employers, who help provide jobs for members, gathered last week for an annual awards banquet. There the group heard from Brooke Katz who told of her own struggle with mental illness. Joining Brooke was her mother, Elise Katz, who offered a parent's perspective. Brooke, 24, who lives in Boston with her family, spoke by phone about her speech at the Employment Options dinner. She spoke of how her illness struck at age 9 when she started hearing voices. Brooke said she was afraid to tell anyone because if she did, the voices said she would die. She told her audience how she struggled to pretend she was OK, but "always had a big secret." When her illness struck, she and family lived in Seattle, but after a suicide attempt at 17, she moved to Boston so she could be treated at McLean Hospital. There she was hospitalized for several months and started the long road to recovery. Brooke proudly adds that she's been symptom-free for two years. Now, Brooke is a third year nursing student at Simmons College and hopes to be a pediatric psychiatry nurse. "I want to give something back," Brooke said. Brooke's story is just one of many. To chronicle members' experiences Employment Options has published "Voices of Hope," which sets down conversations members had with author Helen L. Shore. In the book Dave tells how alcoholism and drug addiction masked his mental illness until he was finally diagnosed and admitted to a rehabilitation facility. He has been a member of the clubhouse for 10 years and now leads a sober life of purpose and commitment. June tells of battling anorexia and then being diagnosed with depression, paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite her diagnosis medication helped her lead a productive life, and she is now a writer and poet. Employment Options has 250 active members with a total membership of approximately 500 people, said Anupa Shah, director of employment and marketing. The members come primarily from MetroWest, and the agency provides transportation to those who need it. "We stress employment for members," Shah said, "because that is the fastest and surest way to recovery." Daily, she said, 75 members come to the clubhouse for breakfast, lunch, social time and activities. Members are all high-functioning, Shah said, and are referred by the state Department of Mental Health. The program, she said, is level-funded by the state "but we realize level-funding won't take us anywhere." So, for the first time, Employment Options has started an active fund-raising program, hoping to raise $1 million over the next several years. And, the agency is always looking for employers to hire its members, Shah said. "We're looking for jobs that don't require much multi-tasking," she said. "Members do well in food services, maintenance, and stocking -- jobs that are not high stress." Years ago, as a college student, I volunteered at an agency in New York City called Fountain House. I did it because it was a requirement for a course I took my junior year. When I walked into Employment Options my first thought was, "This reminds me of Fountain House." So, I was not surprised when Shah told me that Employment Options is a member of the same program implemented at Fountain House. And then Employment Options really made sense to me. I remember the members' struggles at Fountain House, but I also remember their incredible courage. The stories I heard at Fountain House are repeated in "Voices of Hope." And, these are powerful stories that will make you want to cheer on the people who were brave enough to tell them. The stories are worth reading and the people who tell them are worth helping. As Brooke Katz said, "Throughout life I had a lot of support.
It made all the difference." |
