“The program is so needed and timely and we are honored that Vertex, a global biotechnology company, as well as independent organizations and individuals all recognize this urgent need in our community," said Claire’s Place Foundation Executive Director Melissa Yeager.
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) December 03, 2020
Claire’s Place Foundation, a non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), is proud to announce that Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has awarded the foundation with a grant of $50,000 to support their Work Proudly Program. The grant is provided by the Vertex Circle of Care program, a competitive grant opportunity that funds innovative patient-centric programs for the CF community.
The Claire’s Place Foundation Work Proudly Program provides job training and equipment needed for work-from-home employment to adults with CF and caregivers. The program helps people like Amanada whose son Jonathan has CF. The strain on her professional life and her family's finances has been far greater than she anticipated. Jonathan is now 13 years old, and Amanda has lost count of the number of times she has lost a job because she missed work while Jonathan was hospitalized. "I can no longer keep this depressing cycle of loss going," Amanda says. "I want a way to sustain myself and my family during trying times."
In 2018, only 39% of adults with CF had a college degree, and just 52% were employed. To help the CF community, the Work Proudly Program identifies potential careers, covers the cost of certificate job training and provides the technology needed for remote work. Through the program, CF patients and caregivers will see reduced unemployment and increased earning potential and self-esteem.
Since the program’s launch in August 2020, the Work Proudly Program has attracted numerous partners. The generous partners are donating needed computers, tech support, career coaching and funds to help the participants kick-off their career from the safety of their home. Partners include:
human-I-T: Donated laptops and one year of tech support and internet service
Former Claire’s Place Board Member Dave Gersholowitz: Donated computers for the first 15 Work Proudly Program participants
Certified Professional Career Coach Ashlee Anderson - Donating her career coaching services to help program participants identify a career interest and a path to employment
Founder of Transcribeanywhere.com Janet Shaughnessy: Providing a discounted price for all of her transcription courses to program participants
Ashworth College: Providing a registration liaison for program participants making registration and third party payments seamless
Mary and Joseph Family Fund: Donated $5000 in honor of the late Donna Frantom
“We are extremely grateful for the influx of support for our new Work Proudly Program,” said Claire’s Place Foundation Executive Director Melissa Yeager. “The program is so needed and timely and we are honored that Vertex, a global biotechnology company, as well as independent organizations and individuals all recognize this urgent need in our community. My daughter Claire personally experienced how difficult it was as a young adult with CF to find flexible employment that would provide her with a sustainable income. We created the Work Proudly Program to help CF patients and caregivers live proudly and that includes having a fulfilling career. We are thankful not only for our partners’ show of confidence and support of our program, but also for their commitment to helping people living with this disease.”
Claire’s Place Foundation will pilot the Work Proudly Program through June 2021, participants will be recruited through a social worker referral found on our website. To help support the Claire’s Place Foundation Work Proudly Program please visit here to donate.
About Claire’s Place Foundation, Inc.
Claire’s Place Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). Claire’s Place Foundation is named in honor of Claire Wineland who lived with CF her entire life and passed away at the age of 21. Claire was an activist, author, TEDx Speaker, social media star and received numerous awards. Claire’s foundation was a way for her to assure that others living with CF enjoyed the same hope, strength and joy that she enjoyed. Recipient of Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Small Nonprofit of the Year,” the foundation provides grants to families affected by CF, offering both emotional and financial support. Today, Claire’s Place Foundation continues to carry on Claire’s legacy. For more information and make a donation, please visit http://www.clairesplacefoundation.org.