A Need Becomes Reality
As the founder of Unique Options LLC, I first began to see the need for a non-traditional sheltered workshop while doing research in 1989 for my Master's thesis on Closed Head Injury and Employability. Since that time, I have worked as a Licensed Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, working closely with individuals who have sustained brain injuries and their families. I was asked to advise them on appropriate vocational placement following completion of their rehabilitation programs. As I saw it, there were two distinctly different needs to be serviced. One being direct community placement (employment), and the other, placement (employment) in a sheltered supported environment.
When touring the traditional sheltered workshops, I could see the distress on the faces of my clients and their families. My clients and their families had concerns about piece work rate payments, lack of attention to head injury issues, lack of individualized programming, and the quality of the overall workshop environment. Clients with closed head injuries remember what their pre-injury employment environment was like. They just want to be treated with dignity and respect for what they have to offer.
On November 15, 2004, after much research, planning and hard work, Unique Options LLC, opened. We offer quality employment opportunities through an environment where each employee is treated as an individual with Dignity and Respect. Employees have coworkers who have also experienced traumatic brain injuries and they have supervision from a staff trained and experienced in acquired disabilities. The environment at Unique Options LLC encourages independence up to the employee's optimal level, with a minimum of 1 to 3 supervision. If employees are capable of competitive employment, we encourage and assist them in reentering the community. If employees need long term supervised employment to meet their needs, we provide a clean, comfortable, safe and supportive environment where they can do real work with pride and dignity and receive a real paycheck.
I welcome any questions or comments you may have.
Sue Ellen Jurcak, M.A., C.C.M, C.D.M.S., L.P.C.
President, Unique Options LLC
5th Anniversary Story
Reported by Kevin M. (Client)
We grow as people, and so have the jobs at Unique Options, LLC. Unique Options LLC is in its fifth year of existence as a non-traditional workshop, and has helped me to become the person I love. I don't know all the background about the company; just what my experience has been since 6/12/06, and I'm pleased.
When Mrs. Sue Ellen Jurcak was doing research for her Master's thesis in 1989 on "Closed Head Injury and Employability", she toured many traditional workshops. She planned as well as worked hard, to allow clients to maintain dignity and respect in an environment while they worked and earned money. She proceeded to acquire knowledgeable staff who are familiar with traumatic brain injuries and social stimulations. With her new ideas and staff, Unique Options LLC's doors opened on November 15th, 2004.
When I became familiar with the rules established in this environment, following them seemed easy, but for some people it was hard to adjust. At times, many job coaches attempted to look at me to encourage me not to be so rigid and suggested that I try to be more flexible.
Mrs. Jurcak chose individuals who can work with employees, to encourage independence, and give them their best. With the economy in a downward spiral it is wonderful to have a job that is stable. Throughout the years, Unique Options LLC has earned the respect of many customers as a valuable supplier of quality inspection. On April 8th, 2008 this company became ISO 9001:2000 certified.
As an ISO certified company, the increase of automotive suppliers began to grow. As one of the client employees who inspect and process the components involved in automotive vehicles, it gives us pride in the completion of the production and my wage increases based on productivity. The idea of allowing clients of traumatic brain injuries to be active in the process of automotive parts is great and humbling.
When you go to a store that sells greeting cards, a large number of the Avanti cards on display are ones that we process here at Unique Options LLC. The Avanti Company has increased their clientele, because of the professionalism of the staff and client employees that work at Unique Options LLC.
The idea of allowing T.B.I. individuals being productive in the workforce has grown from a thesis to a reality. It clearly is a reality to me and others that work here. Thank you and the others who are a team of truly dedicated help.