Four clients were recognized for their progress in achieving their short and long term goals. The four clients honored were:

·        Jeffery Moore, a CO-OP client in residence at CT Renaissance’s Maple St. halfway house program has obtained a CDL license, secured a fork lift operator’s certificate, and is attending Housatonic Community College part-time. He has also obtained a full time job. He hopes to have his own private business someday.

·        John Moales, a CO-OP client for nine months, is currently residing at Isaiah 61:1’s halfway house and is working part-time in Bridgeport and is also enrolled at Housatonic Community College as a full-time student. He is an active church member and volunteers as a mentor to children through the Beacon Mentoring Program.  John is a great example of community collaborations and individual determination to become self-sufficient.

·        Jose Rodriguez, also a resident in the Isaiah 61:1 program, came to the CO-OP Center in June and in that time he has managed to gain full time employment and was recently promoted to supervisor.  Jose has accomplished all this without hesitation of failing, or anticipation of hand outs.  Jose’s counselor states,” From day one at the program he has appeared to be very focused; I would call him a model client, one that the others should fashion themselves after.”

·        Susan Sawyer, who resides in the Miracle House program,  is currently attending GED classes at the CO-OP Center and has been since becoming a client in the beginning of August.  She is now on her way to obtaining her driver’s license. 

Rev. Brian Bodt, Council of Churches CEO, said in a letter read at the ceremony by Board Chairperson, Carl Johnson,“It is no small thing to be ‘man’ or ‘woman’ enough to take advantage of a ‘second chance.’ Jeffery, John, Jose, and Susan have made that important step, and done it well enough that it has brought recognition to others.” 

Rosa Correa, CO-OP Center Advisory Board Chair, said in her remarks to those attending how important it is “To see these people as assets and not liabilities to the community, and to recognize the strengths that they bring to reentry programs, as well as their employers, their schools, and their neighborhoods.”

Susan Sawyer, upon accepting her award from CO-OP Case Manager, Jamila Foster-Bey, thanked everyone for their support and quoted Lao Tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

Dan Braccio, CO-OP Center Program Director, has extended an invitation to those who could not attend the recognition event to support the honorees in this unique way. The Watkinson Prisoners’ Aid Society has awarded CO-OP Center a matching grant of $1,350 in May. The matching dollars to receive this award must be raised by December 1, 2009. Supporters who would like to help CO-OP Center achieve this goal may send contributions in honor of one or more of the clients recognized on September 25 to The Council of Churches. Please put CO-OP on the notation line on the bottom of the check.