Employment Horizons Celebrates Disability Employment Awareness Month

Over 200 guests joined Employment Horizons in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month at the nonprofit organization’s Annual Recognition Dinner. The event, held at Brooklake Country Club, recognizes corporations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the agency’s mission to provide job training and placement services to people with disabilities and empower people with special needs to fulfill their vocational goals. Among those honored were Monica Barney and Christopher Kelley, two Employment Horizons clients who have achieved significant success in community-based employment.

Monica Barney, recipient of the President’s Award, has been with Employment Horizons since 2012. She began working in the on-site fulfillment center and progressed through various programs quickly. Her excellent work ethic and high production rate resulted in her referral to our Career Development Services department to look for placement in the community. She completed a job sample at a local business, was hired that same day, and is still employed there almost three years later. On a personal note, Monica was also recently married! Christopher Kelley, recipient of the William Huber Achievement Award, has been employed at Stop & Shop Morris Plains for over 10 years. He began in the produce department and then moved to the maintenance department where he remained for seven and a half years. He aspired to become a grocery clerk and his job coach helped him to attain that goal. Unfortunately, during this time Chris experienced a number of personal setbacks. With the sudden death of his mother, he lost his best friend and found himself assuming household duties and assisting his father who has been battling cancer since 2009. Despite his increased responsibilities at home, he has remained a dependable and capable Stop & Shop employee!

Honorees also included Ron Morano, JCP&L - FirstEnergy, Make a Difference Award; Pinnacle Foods Goup, Employer of the Year; and Mark Stephenson, retired Employment Horizons Assistant Executive Director, Distinguished Service Award. The Honorary Chairpersons were Dan Collins and Christine Conti-Collins. Proceeds from the event help defray the cost of providing comprehensive employment, training and job placement services to persons with disabilities and other disadvantages in the greater Morris County, NJ area. For more information about Employment Horizons and to learn about upcoming events, visit www.emhorizons.org.

Photos: All photos credit Distinctive Media Productions - http://distinctivemediaproductions.com/