Business & Tech
CLASS Holds Annual Recognition Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Staff, clients and employers are honored for achievements.
CLASS recently honored staff, clients and employers, when it held its Annual Recognition Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the .
"(CLASS was founded in) 1976," said Nancy Keiran, Director of Development. "This is our 35th year."
"(CLASS) was formed by parents to be a resource for families with kids with disabilities," said Bob Harris, President of CLASS, "We help (people from all age groups, ranging from children to adults) to become part of the community (and) to find jobs."
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The program has several clients who are Tewksbury residents.
According to information provided by CLASS and Arc of Greater Lawrence, "CLASS, Inc. empowers people with disabilities by providing services that promote personal choice, growth, and full participation in their communities." CLASS also works with companies locally to find placement for those who can work. It offers case-management services and "day habilitation services for those who are not able to work," and employs some of it's own members to help with a variety of other services aimed at members.
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Before dinner, members of CLASS and their families talked about what the CLASS program meant to them.
"I come to these almost every year," said Thomas Barksdale. "I like (CLASS). It helps in the community. I love what they do. They care about people and they have a passion for it."
"Sue has been in CLASS for twenty years and she loves it," said Robin Calderwood, sister of client Susan Freitas.
"CLASS has been wonderful to Susan," said Pat Freitas. "It's given her the opportunity to go out and work for different companies ... it gets her into the community and she's got a lot of friends."
After dinner, which started around 6:30 p.m., the awards ceremony began. Members of CLASS were recognized for various achievements, as well as the staff of CLASS. Awards ranged from Employee of the Year (Deb Izquierdo) to Employer of the Year (Salem Fitness).
Staff members were recognized in order of the length of time that they had been involved with CLASS.
