Education / Employment Unit
Colleague & Communication Services Unit (CCS) | Culinary Unit | Education / Employment Unit |Wellness Center
The Education and Employment Unit’s Mission Statement
The Education and Employment Unit aids and supports members in their educational, vocational, and life goals by offering meaningful work through the work ordered day contributing to the operation of Grand Avenue Club.
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Sandy Juech meeting and greeting EEU colleagues and visitors. |
EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT UNIT
The Education and Employment Unit aids and supports members in their educational, vocational, and life goals by offering meaningful work through the work ordered day contributing to the operation of Grand Avenue Club.
EEU is located on the third floor. We publish a weekly paper called Learning & Earning and support a variety of educational and work options. This unit is the focal point for continuing education and paid employment, as it integrates our members into the larger Milwaukee community.
TE ( Transitional Employment), whether done in a group placement or in part-time positions, is unique to clubhouse communities. TE, with its total support for the member on the job, is a "win/win" situation for the clubhouse, the member, and the employer.
First, we promise 100% job coverage to the employer. If a club member cannot attend work for any reason, a GAC placement manager will work that shift for them. Second, we promise the employer that they no longer have to recruit or train new employees for the position, because this is done by the placement managers. Third, we promise that the member will meet the performance standards of the employer.
Members benefit from the TE program. They do not have to write a resume or go through a formal job interview. At the employer’s place of business, placement managers, who already have a solid relationship with the member, train the member on the job until s/he is comfortable performing the job on her/his own.
Members who work in TE positions or who are independently employed usually participate in one of two special meetings held each week. WISH (Work Issues Supper Hour) is held on Monday from 4:30 pm- 6 pm. WILD (Work Issues Lunch Discussion) meets on Mondays 12:30-1:30 pm. These groups provide support on a variety of work issues. They also help to maintain a connection between working colleagues and the clubhouse community.
For members who are not ready for Transitional Employment, GAC sponsors several Group Placements with local businesses. Work--such as collating, labeling, catering--is done by several members and at least one staff person at the employer’s place of business. Staff members are present at the work site at all times and work side by side with members. Productivity is judged for the group rather than the individual; many GAC members begin their employment experiences with a Group Placement.
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GAC colleagues reviewing Transitional Employment positions on the TE board located in the Education and Employment Unit. |
The foundation of GAC’s success in assisting members with employment is the work ordered day. From Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. members and staff run the club together. Members are involved in EVERY aspect of the work, including administration. The work includes preparing meals, answering phones, data entry, giving tours to visitors, producing newsletters, typing, filing and administrative tasks, etc.
Within the EEU, colleagues work together on various projects which support the unit and which assist colleagues in returning to school and/or returning to work. Some examples of the work of the unit include: writing and publishing our weekly Learning & Earning newsletter, maintaining education and employment statistics, updating, publishing, and mailing our colleague training manual.
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| Bruce Bjourm reading and studying in the Library & Learning Center. |
Grand Avenue Club is committed to helping members become comfortable with learning. We want to aid members in furthering their education, either for vocational purposes or for its own sake. Members, staff, and community volunteers provide tutoring at Grand Avenue Club in various subjects. Our unit supports members who take classes in area education programs. We assist with financial aid applications, enrollment, acquiring accommodations as needed, negotiating the campus, and advocating. The unit also connects members with other support services in the community.
SWAP, students with a purpose, is a discussion group to support members currently in school. The discussion group meets every other Wednesday at 4pm.
Subjects tutored include- math (decimals, fractions, basic functions, algebra), computers (basic functions, Microsoft Word word-processor, Microsoft Publisher, scanner, camera), GED preparation, foreign languages, reading, and budgeting.
Quotes from members who are tutored:
"I feel 100% better, I’m learning to apply knowledge to everyday experiences. I feel more relaxed since I’ve been being tutored. I feel I can understand the world better and better everyday. Now while I’m bagging groceries, instead of thinking about music, I’m thinking about verbs, adjectives, and my other studies." – Dale Hodgson
"I feel inspired to learn more and I have a purpose." – Anne Krachtt
"As a tutor, I feel better about myself because the Clubhouse recognizes that I have something to give to the other members." – Diane Novogrodsky