The Pines took a chance on us when we were an unknown entity with no track record. Their trust in us enabled some of our members to take their very first steps into paid employment while others returned to work after lengthy absences. Both scenarios can be anxiety-producing, but the Pines nurtured our members´ talents and set the stage for them to become at ease in the workplace. They are, in fact, star-makers! Among those who formerly worked a TE at the Pines, eight are currently working in competitive employment. One member has gone off government benefits and is working full time. 

This is the power of Transitional Employment. While the Pines were the first to partner with us, they are not our last. Thus far, six renowned local businesses- Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sunset Cadillac, Gettel Automotive, the Public Defender´s Office and Doctors´ Hospital- have followed suit, and that number is growing. These opportunities are major turning points in our members´ lives. Even better than a shiny trophy, Transitional Employment has the potential to launch members into productive, fulfilling careers. In this sense, everyone is a winner.

(left to right) Eric Broderick, Greg Agnacian, Ian Churchill, Chantel Gingrich, Stewie Bitterman, Aaron Collmer, Anna Cerniga and Helen Kuenzner.

We consider return visits to be a sign of good things to come, and we were not disappointed: The State Attorney Office is interested in partnering with us for Transitional Employment (TE) opportunities. TE positions, somewhat like paid internships, enable our members to get on-the-job experience while receiving individualized support from their Academy job coach. Many members are looking to join or rejoin the workforce as part of their mental health recovery, but due to living with their mental illness symptoms, they may not have a job history or recent work experience. For a period of 6 to 9 months, a part-time TE job helps members adjust to the work environment while gaining practical experience for a resume. These jobs are a crucial bridge from Academy training and practice to long-term, career-based employment.

Ed and Jennifer were able to see how the Academy prepares members for TE jobs and hear directly from members who have had, or hope to have, TE jobs as part of their recovery. They were also able to witness how important members are to daily Academy operations as well as to lifting each other up in our inclusive, supportive environment.

Ed has had a long career of protecting the public and responding to the needs of the community. We are honored by his interest in partnering with the Academy as part of making the counties of the 12^th Judicial Circuit a better place for all. Soon Academy staff will visit the State Attorney Office to explore different part-time job opportunities for our members. We thank Ed for being part of a local solution in mental health and for his interest in giving our members a chance to gain valuable work experience in a highly regarded setting.

Upon arrival, they were given a tour of the building before splitting up to work in the teams with our members. Leda had the opportunity to sit in on our Business & Technology’s yearly Planning Day, an auspicious event that shapes the team’s future. Leda added much to the conversation, making astute suggestions that we will most certainly use. Alison worked with members in our culinary team before being whisked off to the Pines of Sarasota where she met Academy member Ian Churchill as he was performing his dietary aide job as part of our Transitional Employment (TE) program. The Ora Clubhouse is just beginning to develop their TE program, and Alison was excited to see it in action.

The women joined us for lunch before saying heartfelt goodbyes. They both expressed that they were inspired from their time with us. Alison had this to say: “I came to the Academy with an empty cup, knowing that it would be filled. But the humility and service that we received from members and staff was above and beyond my expectations. Thank you, Academy, for being a light and experience that we will carry back to The Ora Clubhouse of Ocala, Fl.”

We got as much out of the visit as Leda and Alison did. It’s a great pleasure to invite people in to see what we do here, especially when they “speak the same (Clubhouse) language.” These opportunities serve to make us more resolute in our practices while at the same time, keeping us flexible and open to new ideas. We’ve said it before, and we will say it again and again: we are always stronger together.

He’s a laid-back quiet guy but he’s also an effective team-player. A strong and consistent member of the Academy and specifically the Culinary Arts team, he puts his shoulder into his work. He gladly mentors newer members, and he is as no-drama as they come. This is not to say that he hasn’t had his share of challenges; he has. But he doesn’t bring it into the team. He may communicate to staff if he needs help or perspective, but he takes care of his business. He was an easy choice for our newest Transitional Employment site at Tripletail Seafood & Spirits.

Soft skills such as communication, stamina for accepting feedback, punctuality, commitment, and consistency are some of the things that we look for when deciding who is offered a Transitional Employment. We don’t consider how much experience members might have in the field. It’s far more about where they are in their recovery and to what degree the job will move them forward. Jerry was an easy choice for our newest Transitional Employment site at Tripletail Seafood & Spirits.

Because he will be the first Academy member to work at Tripletail, he will set the tone for the program. His success will be measured by his willingness and his attitude (those soft skills!) far more than his ability to slice a tomato. We chose him because he has put in the work to embody those traits, with humility and a touch of wry humor. For his part, he said “I’m honored to be the first member chosen for the food prep position at Tripletail. The Academy totally prepared me for this. I do prep work at the Academy every day, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing at Tripletail. I’m ready for this.”

Above left, Tripletail Executive Chef Trea Peavey with Jerry Clancy.