VIABILITY hosts annual meeting Jan. 23; Employment collaborative celebrates success

Sue Smith, second from right, received the Dick Venne award and was recognized as the job developer of the year Jan. 23 in the Kozera Conference Room on Brookdale Drive in Springfield, Massachusetts. Standing around her are the former president/CEO’s family members.

VIABILITY hosted the Western Massachusetts Employment Collaborative Jan. 23 for its annual all-members meeting. Sam, a young woman who found a full-time job through our employment program in Holyoke was invited to share her success story. J. Polep Distribution Services was recognized as outstanding employer for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities. Sue Smith from Forum House, a VIABILITY clubhouse in Westfield was recognized as job developer of the year and received the Dick Venne Award, named in honor of our past president and CEO and presented by Dick’s family.