The Academy Works

Members are going back to work as life begins to return to normal.

Academy members have grit, and they don’t let difficult circumstances keep them down. Nowhere is this more evident than in the number of members currently working and earning a paycheck. Some members were able to keep their jobs throughout the pandemic while others jumped back into the workforce as soon as it felt safe to do so.

Transitional employment sites are welcoming us back. Members have already hit the ground running in positions at Pines of Sarasota and Sunset Cadillac, with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System next to begin. In Supported Employment, there is a wide array of employers and job fields. Members hold positions in industries such as social services, administration, customer service, food service (both front of house and back of house), retail and more. Members in Transitional Employment receive the highest level of job support; however, all working members are supported by Academy job coaches as is appropriate and necessary for success.

The Clubhouse model is a fertile training ground for those who seek employment. The transformation from new member to experienced mentor to wage earner is gratifying and inspiring for all of us. Those who hold positions in the community almost always continue to attend the Academy, acting as a role model and motivator for those just beginning their journey. As this cycle continues, more and more members are regaining their footing in the culture of work, and able and proud to answer the age-old question: “what do you do?”

Pictured above are just a few members of the members who are back at work: Ian Churchill, Chantel Gingerich, Eric Broderick, Rebecca Wolsfon, Matthew Thomas and Carolyn Robinson.