Roche Bros. Honored at Statehouse for Excellence in Employment Diversity Practices

Roche Bros. Supermarkets was honored recently for partnering with the Neponset River House, a Service of Riverside Community Care, a Clubhouse in Norwood, Mass., to provide gainful employment to individuals with mental illness.

Along with 27 other companies, the Roche Bros. in Westwood received an award, presented by Massachusetts Representative Paul McMurtry at the State House in Boston. The award recognized Roche Bros. for diversifying its workforce by employing local community residents with psychiatric disabilities, with the support of the members and staff of DMH-funded Clubhouse rehabilitation and recovery centers.

The Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition held the event to recognize the companies for excellence in working to lessen the stigma of psychiatric conditions that Clubhouse members often experience when seeking employment. Legislators from across the state presented awards to the companies that have chosen diversity as a priority. Quality-accredited Clubhouse rehabilitation centers across the state had the option to honor one or two companies during the celebration.

In addition to Roche Bros. enthusiastically employing members from Neponset River House, the Westwood store has also offered its location as a Salvation Army Kettle Drive site, where members of the Clubhouse are employed by the Salvation Army to collect donations and ring the Kettle Drive bell.

“The store’s continued support to Neponset River House and the mental health community is invaluable, especially in light of research that identifies employment and community involvement as highly beneficial to recovery from psychiatric conditions,” said Reva Stein, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC).

“We are so proud to have a diverse group of employees at our store, including members of the Neponset River House,” said Maggie McLaughlin, Store Manager at Roche Bros. Westwood. “Roche Bros. is committed to an inclusive workforce and thrilled to be recognized with this award.”

Clubhouse centers serve more than 7,000 Massachusetts residents, who are working to re-gain their footing, gain employment, complete their education, build relationships and develop leadership skills towards living successfully in the community with support.

“Countering the myths about people with psychiatric conditions, hundreds of companies in Massachusetts are choosing to look past disability and see ability and opportunity as they employ members of Massachusetts Clubhouses,” said Stein. “Having a job not only brings in a much-needed pay check, but serves to inspire and encourage people recovering from often challenging conditions, so that they too can achieve their dreams and goals.”