Bridgewell Honors John Lewis With Champion Award

Bridgewell, a Lynnfield based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and helping individuals with developmental and psychiatric disabilities and other life challenges, has awarded John Lewis of Greater Lynn Senior Services the second annual Champion Award.

The award recognizes outstanding business partners of Bridgewell who help individuals with disabilities feel valued and appreciated as members of the work force. Lewis originally hired four individuals to work last year and has now expanded to six with some in group support and independent employment.

“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.”

Greater Lynn Senior Services is a nonprofit agency established in 1976 to serve those over 60, adults of all ages with disabilities, and their families in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott. They have been working with Bridgewell for over a year. The organization originally started with four individuals, yet they now have six with some working in group support, and others in independent employment.

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 Ashley Smallwood at 339-883-1757 or asmallwood@bridgewell.org.

For more information, visit http://www.bridgewell.org.