Jobs

People need purpose in their lives. One thing that gives purpose and meaning to life is work. Almost all Fountain House members work either in the Clubhouse to gain valuable experience and confidence, or in paid placements at companies throughout the city. Through it they gain self-esteem, their talents are recognized, they have the chance to develop new relationships and earn their own money.

Fountain House offers various strategies in helping members access paid work opportunities in the community including Transitional Employment, Supported Employment, and Independent Employment.

Transitional Employment: Fountain House has a long track record of initiating and developing Transitional Employment. We have worked with companies to place members on transitional employment job at their place of business since 1959. Through the Transitional Employment (TE) program, managed by members and staff together, members are placed in paid, entry-level positions provided by participating companies. These placements are transitional in two senses: they let members ease into the world of work with a direct connection to the job, as well as on the job training and job site visits from Fountain House placement managers. Typically, each placement lasts between six and nine months. The member may then move on to other placements until they are ready for a less supported job.

Companies benefit from TE. They find enthusiastic, trained workers at prevailing wagers. If a member needs to be absent, another member or a staff worker fills in. And when a member moves to another assignment, Fountain House trains the replacement. Each year over 300 members work in more than 100 TE positions provided by some of the best companies in New York including American Express Publishing, American Stock Exchange, Dow Jones & Company, and McGraw-Hill.

Supported Employment: Supported Employment (SE) combines aspects of both Transitional Employment and Independent Employment. It is designed to ease members integration into long-term jobs. While providing a direct referral from the clubhouse to the employer, as well as some initial on-job-training and assistance where it may be needed, SE is designed to offer ongoing Fountain House support to members who are seeking or have moved into more permanent employment. This includes a full job search, assistance with application forms, resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, as well as accessing items needed for interviews, such as clothing. Once comfortably on the job, members are kept in touch with through employment phone reach out, monthly dinners and other supports as needed. It also provides support to the company that may initially be unsure about hiring a member for a regular job.

Independent Employment: Members with prior work experience, and/or job related education, skills and abilities as well as those who through TE complete a number of placements are encouraged to seek their own job. Fountain House’s Employment support helps them prepare resumes, coaches them in job search and interview techniques. Unlike TE and SE, members go on competitive interviews to get jobs. While members are working, they can continue to call on Fountain House for support by phone and through a unit available to working members weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

For more information about our Employment Programs or how your company can become a Transitional Employment Partner, please contact the Employment Unit.