Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2001)
august 17.2001 * s people with HIV and AIDS live longer, more active lives, many in the comm unity are interested in returning to work. But the context of a person’s health can make that change difficult. To sup port this transition, Cascade AIDS Project has launched a new employment assistance program called Working Choices. Funded by a grant from worksystems inc., it provides people living with HIV/AIDS the neces sary tools to make the return to employment as positive as possible. Individuals have computer access and can receive assistance in assessing skills, writing resumes and job placement, whether in the open market or with one of the program’s busi ness partners. Staff also identify and promote spe cific kinds of work with employers that can be filled by people living with HIV/AIDS. According to CAP executive director Thomas Bruner, the goal is to move more clients into the work force in order to generate income for them selves. “W hat we want to do is bridge this gap that has long existed between the HIV services sector and the employment services sector,’’ he remarks. An anonymous program participant voices concerns common to many when he says: “I knew 1 needed to start working again, partly because I was tired of being poor. But I also needed to get my mind working again. My health was pretty good, and I realized that stay ing home all the time was making me mentally stagnant and causing me to lose confidence in myself. It was also keeping me isolated socially. To deal with all this, I needed to work.’’ Bruner points out CA P defines work in a broad manner. For some people, it will mean a perm anent, full-time job. Others, however, might be seeking work that is part time, season B ack to W ork xg& Z : W estover H eights C < © C / S ie t r a Tem p*® W « «SS=H L I N I C Offering general internal medicine and excelling in sexual health care C lu b M at u r ® , v conserva*»** F o « « < fa t ío » “ ’ O “ t ' e " I s i i í , gon Serving the community for 17 years ' L '0 JOHNNY S O L E 2330 NW Flanders Suite 207 815 SW Alder Street 503 226-6678 503.225.1241 - 503.228.5844 Millynn James ABR: Accredited Buyer's Representative 5 0 3 .3 3 0 .HOME (4 6 6 3 ) 1 . 8 0 0 . 8 2 5 . 9 9 4 8 Portland, OR 97205 Upstairs Downstairs Restore Your Confidence! FINANCING AVAILABLE When you buy or sell a home with me, you’ll know your dollars i are helping support a greater cause. I contribute at least 10% of my earnings to community and environmental organizations. , Prices starting at O f - ( \ ' %il ) r j w HASSON & W O N G HAIR R E S T O R A T I O N S U R G E R Y Call today for a FREE consultation!] 503 292-9097 www.hassonandwong.net - R&MT'X equity group a t M rt j g “The employer really con- ^ trols the amount of support they need," she says. “We can establish a very involved rela Program equips people living with HIV and AIDS tionship, or it can be as sim ple as e-mailing a job opening for return to employment by Tim othy Krause once a month or once every six months.” al, temporary or even volunteer. Bruner also says through each Employers also may be individuals with HIV/AIDS are welcome to aspect of getting eligible for significant finan access this particular program without any oblig a job. cial benefits. Companies may ation to participate in other CAP client services. For employ save on business taxes by hir Coordinating the program are two new ers, the program’s ing from the target groups of either the Work Opportunity staff positions filled by Dough Zeh and Cicely free placement Hambrick. Tax Credit program or the service saves Zeh has been with CA P for 10 years and now time and money Welfare-to-Work program. serves as employment caseworker. He works when conduct Bruner is enthusiastic ing a search for one-on-one with individuals, offering career about th e positive effect counseling, training and support in finding new employees, W orking Choices will have employment— all within the unique context of says Hambrick, on CAP. “I’m convinced it’s who joined the a person’s HIV status and health situation. an absolute turning point in the way the organization Zeh helps clients identify and overcome barri C A P staff last spring from Tri- thinks and acts,” he says. ers to employment, such as drug and alcohol Cicely Hambrick is recruiting employers to Met’s marketing “It’s such an exciting step problems, mental health issues and criminal his participate in the Working Choices program tory. He also assists individuals in the logistics of department. forward toward an equip ping model of service delivery and away from having to match workdays with good health days, “Our program does an initial screening so that an older, enabling model of service delivery. It arranging time off for medical appointments and businesses can trust that we’re sending out people who are work-ready and qualified for their posi can ’t help but have a ripple effect on all of our knowing how and when to disclose HIV status. Perhaps more importantly, however, he pro tions,” she explains. “It’s an easy way for business institution.” j n vides information about an individual’s eligibili es to access a loyal and motivated work force.” Hambrick notes her office is connected with For more information about WORKING CHOICES ty for continued benefits, such as the Oregon Health Plan and Social Security, as well as rea job developers from other social service agen call 50)-22)-5907 or 800-777-24)7 or visit the Internet site xwuw.cascadeaids.org. Job seekers sonable accommodations under the Americans cies. If CA P’s program doesn’t have a qualified applicant, she can forward a job announcement may e-mail Dough Zeh at dzeh@cascadeaids.org. with Disabilities Act. Employers may write Cicely Hambrick at “It’s all very low-key, and after our meeting we to more than 60 other agencies free of cost. Hambrick’s role also includes providing chambrick@cascadeaids. org. decide together what the next steps should be,’’ employers with ongoing customer service that says Zeh, who mentions that Working Choices TIMOTHY K rause is a writer and editor living also offers an intensive four-day employment might encompass, for example, companywide in Portland. HIV education. training every other month that leads people -¡si M 2 ¡lo r ^ ¡m
