MADO Healthcare is proud to be honored by Thresholds as the 2019 Employer of the Year. This is the second time MADO has been given this honor in the last 3 years. This Fall, George Terzakis, Thresholds Employment coordinator presented the award at a luncheon to Elisa Maurer, Executive Director of MADO Healthcare Old Town and Tina Meiner, Executive Director of MADO Healthcare Douglas Park.
MADO Healthcare collaborates with Thresholds in providing care for persons in Illinois living with mental illness. Since June 2016, MADO Healthcare has partnered with the Thresholds Supported Employment Program, providing meaningful and competitive jobs to Thresholds members. Employees hired through Thresholds have worked in a variety of departments at MADO Healthcare, including dietary, medical records, client escorts and housekeeping. In this program, Threshold peers provide support for MADO clients in their pursuit of individual goals of achievement under the supervision of credentialed personnel. Reflecting on the importance of this partnership, Elisa Maurer comments on the employment program, noting that Thresholds hired employees, “model for MADO Healthcare clients the opportunities and possibilities that may await them after they receive rehabilitative and recovery services.”
As all those hired with MADO through the Thresholds program have lived experience with mental illness this is a unique program that supports both peers and clients on their pathway to achieving resilience. Denisea Freeman has been working in the dietary department at MADO Healthcare Old Town through the Thresholds Supported Employment Program for over a year. After attending the award luncheon and asked to think about this opportunity and her experience, Ms. Freeman shared that “…it’s been a great experience. Staff at Old-Town have been very supportive, helpful and patient with me learning the ins and outs of the kitchen. They show they care.”
MADO is honored to be recognized by Thresholds with their Employer of the Year Award. And with 2020 on the horizon, we look forward to more opportunities to partner with the Thresholds community.