About Our Members

Employment Options welcomes all adults with mental illness at any level of recovery — from those just leaving the hospital to those just discovering the effects of their illness.

Our members come from Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlboro, Natick, Northboro, Sherborn, Southboro, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westboro.

The members of Employment Options are valued as people, with the same needs, capabilities, and aspirations as all people. By voluntarily contributing their talents as participants in the operation of the Options Clubhouse, they are needed, wanted, and expected.

In contrast to the regimentation typically experienced in hospital settings, members are respected as individuals with the opportunity to choose among the services provided by the Options Clubhouse.

Member Testimonials

"Options clubhouse has totally helped me out, standing by me through it all. They taught me how to do something I never thought I could do - take care of Bob"
- Bob, Member and Board of Director

"I guess what you learn best about yourself is knowing that you're afraid to do something, and doing it anyway"

-Del, Member since 1990

“In my last 2 years as a member, I’ve seen the positive social changes Options has made. I’m proud to be a part of the Clubhouse at a time when it is expanding its services and providing a full circle of resources to its members. This fall I moved to the new housing, both literally and figuratively….for me this paves the foundation of a successful transition.”

Yaicha M.
Member and resident of Options Housing Program

Employment

" I've had 4 transitional employments in my employment history and have been working for the past 3 years. Employment Options has been very supportive looking beyond all barriers of illness, age and finances. It is a family I look forward to come back to everyday. "

Cultural Event

"Every Friday we have a special lunch made at the Clubhouse. Many of the staff and members come from different countries and at this lunch we get to learn about their cultures. We have had a Kenyan lunch with a video and art show describing Kenya; a traditional Brazilian lunch with singers performing traditional songs; an Indian lunch where the clubhouse was decorated to emulate the Indian festival of lights, 'Diwali,' and also silent lunches to celebrate the Deaf culture where everyone tries to interact through sign language."

Employment Options is the Place To Be!

"I like going to the Clubhouse because this place has taught me many skills. They have taught me how to work on the phones, research information and to do data processing. I work closely with my advocate to determine my personal and job goals. People depend on me to handle things. Me and my work are valued here."

"We do outreach calls to members who have not been in the clubhouse for a while and could use someone to talk to. I know how it feels because in the last few months I have been there. It is good to see people come back to the club because when we are here we are family."

New Home, New Life

"I began searching for a new apartment, which was a real chore for me. I realized I couldn't do this all by myself and asked Employment Options for help. The staff accompanied me on my visits to apartments and aided me in finally getting a new apartment. Now I have a great place on the first floor in Hudson downtown with easy access to stores and perhaps for jobs too. I am grateful to the Employment Options staff and am looking to begin a new life…"

Family Services

"As a result of my divorce, I lost custody of my child. I was not even allowed to contact my son. That's when I asked Employment Options for help. With staff and legal assistance, I was able to get telephone contact and supervised visitation. Today I have unsupervised overnight visitation rights and I can't thank Employment Options enough for helping me. I know I am a good parent and Options helped me prove that."

Learn more about our referrals, intake, and orientation process at Employment Options.