Bridgewell Honors John Lewis with Champion Award

Bridgewell awarded John Lewis of Greater Lynn Senior Services the second annual Champion Award on December 15. The award recognizes outstanding business partners of Bridgewell who help individuals with disabilities feel valued and appreciated as members of the work force.

Pictured above: Brian, Celestine, award recipient John Lewis, Peter and Ariana.

Bridgewell’s Employment Supports team has been working with GLSS for over a year. The workers clean the vans and sedans used for The Ride, a service that transports local residents in need of transportation to medical appointments throughout the Lynn and other surrounding cities. Lewis originally hired four individuals to work at GLSS last year and has now expanded to six with some in group support and independent employment.

Click here to read an article about John and the Champion Award in the Lynn Item.

“We are thrilled to give this award to such an exceptional partner in helping our job seekers find and maintain job in the local community,” said Career Specialist Ashley Smallwood. “John has been dedicated and committed to helping individuals with disabilities not only to be employed but to be valued and respected in the workplace.”

To recognize and appreciate the outstanding Community Business partners that make the Employment Supports program possible, Bridgewell created the Champion Award. This award is presented annually to one community business partner to recognize their contribution to helping individuals with disabilities be valued and appreciated members of the workforce. Honorees are selected based on the following criteria:

• Community Business Partner – Nominee must be an employee of a contracted Community Business Partner or an employee of a company where an individual from the Employment Program is placed in an individual job placement. Bridgewell employees are not eligible.
• Goes Above and Beyond – Nominee displays the desire to do more then what is generally required in a role and makes a very visible difference in the life of a person or our services.
• Creates an Inclusive Environment – Nominee understands the importance of involving an individual served in the workplace culture and other social aspects of the workplace.

If you are interested in becoming a community business partner, or to learn more about Bridgewell’s Employment Supports program, please contact Career Specialist Marc Jamieson at 339-883-1759 or mjamieson@bridgewell.org.