RANDOLPH, MA ISSUED FEBRUARY 20, 2024… The Supported Employment Program at Grow Associates, an organization that connects individuals of all abilities with opportunities, experienced outstanding growth in the second half of 2023, a trend that is poised to continue in the new year.
The focus of the Supported Employment Program is to seek employment opportunities in the community to help individuals achieve career goals, increased independence, and community integration, all aims that can lead to greater personal satisfaction and overall happiness. Under the leadership of Emily Shea, who joined the organization as Director of Supported Employment in July of 2023, the program has flourished with numerous interviews and placements documented from August to December of 2023.
Over the course of the five month period, 20 individuals were interviewed at several local retail and hospitality businesses, with three placed for employment at Burlington Coat Factory, Arbella Insurance, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Seven additional interviews were scheduled over the course of January.
Ten individuals have been encouraged to volunteer at Grow’s Bistro, which serves pre-packaged breakfast fare, such as muffins, bagels, and fruit and supplemental lunch items, like chips, fruit and granola bars. Grow is set to officially re-open the Bistro this spring, with more volunteer opportunities to come.
In addition to Shea, Grow has a team of Job Coaches and Team Job Developers, all collaborating on person-centered planning for each individual seeking outside employment.
“The growth of our Supported Employment Program over the past few months is nothing short of remarkable,” said Interim Executive Director Brian Jadro. “We are true to our mission of providing quality opportunities for growth to each person we serve and look ahead to another banner year of employment placements in 2024.”
Grow has long been at the forefront of the state-mandated movement to shift from piece work to fully integrated employment services in the community. Grow accomplished this 15 months before the state mandated deadline of June 2015, making the organization a widely recognized leader in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
About Grow Associates
Grow Associates, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) organization connecting people of all abilities with opportunities since 1973. Grow provides a wide range of services including day habilitation, community-based day supports, vocational training and integrated employment services. Grow serves nearly 250 individuals ranging in age from 18-82 from over 24 surrounding communities and employs more than 50 part-time and full-time human service professionals.
As a leading community health and human services organization in Massachusetts, Grow Associates is licensed, certified, and accredited by a range of agencies and organizations, guaranteeing the highest quality of services to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Grow Associates is located at 68 Mazzeo Drive, Randolph, MA. For more information, please call 781-961-6700 or visit www.grow-associates.org.
