STAR LIGHT CENTER CALENDAR FUNDRAISER-AUGUST 2010

Want to go out to dinner but are finding prices are too expensive?.....

Want a chance to win a free massage or an acupuncture session?.....

How about a scenic photo for your home or workplace?

A hair cut and styling?

Then Star Light Center has good news for you!! We are holding a calendar fundraiser, PRIZES WILL BE DRAWN EVERY DAY IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER!!! Tickets will be on sale throughout the month of August and are only $5.00. You can purchase tickets from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday at Star Light Center located at 251 Nonotuck Street, Florence, MA. Each day of September, one name will be drawn. The winning ticket will be reentered, so you have 30 chances to win! If you are interested, call Star Light Center at 413-586-8255. Tickets can also be purchased at HRU's Main office located at 120 Maple Street, Suite 400, Springfield, MA 01103 through Margaret Jordan or Lynda Malaquias (telephone:(413) 781-5359). The money that is raised through this fundraising is going to be used for the members of Star Light to go to conferences and other trainings. We thank you and appreciate your support.

HRU Forms Green Team

HRU has developed a Green Team to work on green initiatives, promote environmental awareness and begin the process of changing our practices as an agency. Click on the Green Team link for more information or contact Lisa Bouthlier at (508) 765-9947. Green Team

Tradewinds to host Legislative Luncheon on Friday, April 9, 2010 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Tradewinds.

Tradewinds will host a Legislative Luncheon on Friday, April 9, 2010 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Tradewinds, 309 Main Street, Southbridge, MA 01550. Please RSVP to Lisa or Donna at (508) 765-9947.

Lighthouse to Host Legislative Brunch on Friday, March 26, 2010, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Lighthouse

Lighthouse will host a legislative brunch at the program located at 1401 State Street, Springfield, MA on Friday, March 26th from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Please contact the program at 736-8974 for more information on this event.

Tradewinds to Host Community Connections Pancake Breakfast on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 from 7:00-11:00 a.m. at Tradewinds, 309 Main Street, Southbridge, MA

Tradewinds will host a Community Connections Pancake Breakfast on Wednesday, March 24th from 7:00-11:00 a.m. at the program located on 309 Main Street, Southbridge, MA 01550 from 7:00-11:00 a.m. The event is free of charge. Please call Lisa or Donna to RSVP at 508-765-9947.

HRU to Recognize Outstanding Employer Partnerships at Massachusetts Club House Coalition's Annual Employment Celebration on March 25, 2010

Human Resources Unlimited will recognize and honor the outstanding work opportunities provided to its members by area employers at Massachusetts Club House Coalition's Annual Employment Celebration on Thursday, March 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House. Employers to be recognized and the HRU programs they work with are:

Western Mass. Area Office Department of Mental Health (Star Light Center)
Sturbridge Federated Church (Tradewinds)
Westfield Bank (Forum House)
Hilton Garden Inn Springfield (Lighthouse)

HRU's Clubhouse Facts for Fiscal Year 2009

FACTS — Fiscal year 2009:

• 32 Clubhouse programs serve 8,000 adults with serious mental illness in Massachusetts annually.


• HRU's mental health services: 1029 individuals served


• 365 participants employed


• 54 business partners


• 72% of homeless individuals served (112) worked during the year


• HRU and its services are accredited by CARF (Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)


• HRU's clubhouses are also accredited by the ICCD (The International Center for Clubhouse Development)


• HRU's clubhouse members earned almost $1 million in this fiscal year with clubhouse supports

• Average # hospitalizations prior to membership = 5.32


• Average # hospitalizations after becoming a member = 1 (.78)

• Cost of one day of psychiatric hospitalization: $500.00
• Cost of one full year of membership an HRU club: $1,900.00

HRU Dodgeball Tournament

The HRU Dodgeball Tournament held on November 14, 2009 was a success. 22 teams participated and the winners were - FOR THE ADULTS: 1st place was GLG 2 from GLG Corporation of Hadley, 2nd place was Diablo Wheels from HRU transportation. FOR THE YOUTHS: 1st place was Team Fitz 1 and in 2nd place was Team Toledo. We thank all that participated and hope to see you next year.

HRU Receives Fifth Consecutive Three Year CARF Accreditation

CARF International announced that Human Resources Unlimited has been accredited for a period of three years for its Employment and Community Service programs. The latest accreditation is the fifth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body has awarded to Human Resources Unlimited. All of the agency’s programs and services are accredited by CARF representing eight different service standard categories. Additionally, HRU received its first accreditation in the area of governance this year. Only 10% of CARF accredited organizations choose to be accredited in the area of governance as it is not currently a formal requirement of CARF and the organization is particularly proud of this accomplishment.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

Human Resources Unlimited (HRU) is a 39 year old not-for-profit organization located in Springfield with services in Springfield, Westfield, Northampton and Southbridge. HRU’s mission is to provide the highest quality community rehabilitation services for adults living with disabilities. HRU provides services to over 1200 individuals annually, assisting them in increasing their independence by returning to work, school and becoming involved in their communities.

Among the many strengths noted by the CARF survey team, one is especially worthy of mention: “It is evident that the program members hold the staff members in high regard. The staff members are clearly committed to positive outcomes and demonstrate compassion and a commitment to high quality services. Particularly impressive is the relationship of members to staff members.”

For additional information, contact Margaret Jordan, Director of Mental Health Services at (413) 781-5359.

Jeffrey Trant, Program Director at Lighthouse is "Prepared to Care"

Read about Jeff's work with Boston College's School of Social Work Click Here

Custom Packaging/Expansion of ETS Facility

HRU purchased the assets of Custom Packaging in order to increase the agencys capacity to provide meaningful commercial work to our program members in ETS Career Services. Our expanded packaging facility located at 1 Allen Street is now fully operational and has over 25,000 SF with easy accessibility and full shipping and receiving capabilities.