LIHU‘E — Lyle Kobashigawa of the Kaua‘i Kookie Kompany received one of the special awards during the recent Friendship House Employers Awards banquet held at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. “Lyle was given special recognition as one of
LIHU‘E — Lyle Kobashigawa of the Kaua‘i Kookie Kompany received one of the special awards during the recent Friendship House Employers Awards banquet held at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
“Lyle was given special recognition as one of the first employers in 1995 to believe in Friendship House and give the Transitional Employment Program a chance,” said Dave Jordan, Friendship House Vocational Coordinator, in a release. “Throughout the years, a wonderful relationship developed and Lyle not only supported Friendship House members on the job, but also supported the entire Clubhouse with his advocacy and the generosity of his time.”
Kobashigawa was one of 18 employers who were honored for providing the opportunity for Friendship House members to have purpose and meaning to their lives through their partnership with Friendship House and the Transitional Employment Program.
“In a world where the stigma of having a mental illness can make life even more challenging, Lyle’s acceptance of members as people, not as their diagnosis, and his belief in what members are capable of doing made a significant impact on members’ self esteem which helped them develop the confidence to pursue goals in other areas of their lives,” Jordan said.
Friendship House hosts the annual awards banquet to show appreciation to those employers, numbering 18 at the banquet, who hire members of the Clubhouse in the Transitional Employment Program.
“The TE program is a vital part of the Clubhouse movement world-wide,” Jordan said. “It enables members to rebuild their self esteem by providing productive work in the community. Members have a sense of fulfillment by becoming a wage earner and feel good about themselves and having money to spend.”
Friendship House member Nancy Dacosin, a part of the Kaua‘i Marriott Grounds Department, presented an appreciation award to Chuck Brady and Glenn Craven of the Kaua‘i Marriott and member Shanelle Garania presented an award to Lee Ridley, a supervisor at the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club where Garania is employed as a facilities associate in the Grounds Department.
Jordan said the Waiohai is the newest employer to join the TE program.
Member Carmen Llego presented Lesah Merritt, her supervisor at the Safeway Stores, with an award to show her appreciation for her job as a Courtesy Clerk at the Kaua‘i Village store.
The Kapa‘a Times Big Save, St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Olympic Cafe, Pono Cleaners, Macy’s, Regency at Puakea, Foodland, YWCA of Kaua‘i, La Bamba’s and Cathy Smith were among the employers being honored at the event where Jack Yatsko, Chief Operating Officer of the ICCD and Crystal Aguinaldo, Network of Care Peer Educators, spot about the Clubhouse model and the powerful role it plays in the lives of people with mental illnesses.
The state’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Kaua‘i Community Adult Mental Health Center were also acknowledged for their support and partnerships with the Friendship House.
Employers who are interested in getting involved with the Friendship House’s employment program can call Jordan at 821-4480.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
