Bright Future for Project RISE Grads- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Bright Future for Project RISE Grads- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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June 30, 2000
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In This Issue:
Bright Future for Project RISE Grads
Town Meeting
July Calendar
Partners International Program wins MA Award
“An extraordinary commitment”
Proud graduates, their families, and their teachers had a lot to smile about at the Project RISE Luncheon Celebration held on June 23. The luncheon commemorated the fourth group of participants who have successfully completed the seven-week job readiness program this year, and welcomed them as new BWH and MGH employees. Project RISE (Reaching Individuals Striving for Excellence) is a federally-funded Partners HealthCare Community Benefit program that—in conjunction with the Jewish Vocational Service and WorkSource Staffing Partnership Inc.—provides training to Boston residents receiving public assistance. The participants are prepared for full-time entry-level positions at BWH and MGH by learning basic math and literacy as well as attitude, dress, and interviewing techniques. Once the participants have graduated from Project RISE, Human Resources staff members counsel and work with them to find them employment positions within the Partners system. Upon receiving employment, the graduates are then eligible for a complete benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and other standard employee benefits. Career counseling and support during training continue for the participants throughout the following year. So far, Project RISE has proven to be beneficial to local communities as well as to Partners. The program is targeted to Boston residents as well as parents of students at the Tobin and Timilty schools, building on BWH and MGH long-term relationships with these schools. To date, Project RISE has 55 graduates, and 18 are employed at BWH. “The great abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass said, ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.’ There have been struggles for the women in Project RISE—getting transportation to training, obtaining adequate childcare, and finding good employment opportunities with hope for advancement,” said Alice Delgardo, Director of project RISE. “However, because of those struggles, our graduates have made progress, as evidenced by the many Project RISE graduates who are gainfully employed within Partners hospitals. This program also succeeds in large part because of the commitment of individuals like Nelda Quigley, Janet Dussault and other HR professionals throughout BWH and MGH. They have committed their time and talents to this important and vital effort.” “Programs like Project RISE are one reason I love working at BWH,” added Ollie Coughlin, Human Resources. “It’s an example of how we can make a positive difference in an individual’s life while simultaneously helping the organization achieve a stronger workforce.” Said one recent graduate, “Project RISE has inspired me to get up and do something with my life, feel good about myself, and not let anyone stand in the way of my success.”