Ray Bridge and the Laurie Mitchell Employment Center 
http://www.lmec.org/Home.asp were presented with the Secretary of 
Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award.

The Laurie Mitchell Employment Center helps those with mental illness 
and other disabilities build skills, obtain employment and achieve 
independence.  All services are free of charge.  Since opening, LMEC 
has served 2,500 people along their chosen career paths.  More than 
80% of graduates of advanced computer training have secured 
employment by the end of their training.

LMEC's small staff are themselves mental health consumers and 
identify with the challenges the people they serve face, in gaining 
self confidence, in finding work and managing a career.  While 
delivering services, they share their understanding, offer hope and 
serve as role models to others with mental illness during their 
personal and professional development.


"People Who experience mood swings, fear, voices and visions"