Cardinal Cushing Centers to Host Employer Recognition Event

On Tuesday, February 7^th from 7:30 to 9:00am, Cardinal Cushing Centers will host a “Partners in Possibilities” breakfast to recognize leaders in employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Keynote speaker Leo Vercollone, President & CEO of VERC Enterprises, will speak to how employing individuals with disabilities has been integral to VERC’s success. 2011 was a tremendous year for VERC, landing the company a spot in the Boston Globe’s Top 100 Places to work. 20% of VERC’s workforce is comprised of individuals with disabilities.

Mr. Vercollone and his company have also been featured in the Patriot Ledger and Boston Business Journal, and VERC Enterprises was the cover feature of an edition of National Petroleum News. Additionally, VERC was named a “Leader in Diversity” by the Boston Business Journal.

For the students and adults of Cardinal Cushing Centers, work is an extremely important part of building a meaningful life. Cushing Centers has a top-of-the-line on and off-campus work training program, with the goal of helping individuals with disabilities to become independent and included members of society. Companies that provide competitive, part and full-time work to individuals with disabilities are the next step. In collaboration with Best Buddies of Massachusetts, job opportunities can be created within the community to match a student’s interest, availability, and skills with the needs of area employers. South Shore Industries, Cushing’s work development program for adults, also works to match individuals with companies and organizations in the community.

Cardinal Cushing Centers is pleased to honor VERC and other companies who see the value in a truly diverse workforce. Individuals with disabilities are quite often loyal employees who are dedicated to their work. They have what it takes to get a job done and they do it with a positive, morale-boosting attitude. According to Vercollone, “Making the commitment to hiring individuals who are challenged and disabled has been a great experience for our company. We are very pleased to report that we are at the 20% level of disabled and challenged workers and we are aiming higher. We encourage other businesses to do the same.”

For more information on the Partners in Possibility Breakfast, please contact Michelle Constantino at mconstantino@cushingcenters.org or 781.829.1289.

Cushing’s 2012 Leaders in Employment Opportunities: