CVS/Caremark, which operates 27 stores in New Haven, Middlesex and Fairleild counties, was recognized as the Competitive Employer of the Year during the Trumbull-based Kennedy Center”™s 63rd Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn recently.
The company has employed 16 individuals from Kennedy Employment Services.
Bridgeport CVS store manager Matarr Sajaw was cited for his efforts, in particular. At his store, one Kennedy client has become a certified pharmacy technician and two others have started classes to pursue the same certification. Sajaw has hired seven Kennedy Center clients. “He and his company provide Kennedy Center clients with the opportunity to meet their greatest potential,” The Kennedy Center said in a statement.
John Tartaglio, of Milford, an inspirational speaker and author of “From Tragedy to Triumph,” was keynote speaker and was recognized as the 2014 winner of the Kennedy Center Vision Award, “given to an individual who has the vision to elevate the human consciousness to believe in the potential of all people.” He lost his legs to a bacterial infection at 17 and went on to graduate from Fairfield University, to run in the New York City Marathon without legs and to marry and raise a family.
Event co-chairpersons were Rachelle Mitchell, of Milford, and Mary Brown, of Bridgeport. Other award winners included Christina Jansen, of Norwalk, Supported Employee of the Year; John Maher, of Stratford, Competitive Employee of the Year; Daniel DeLucia, of Trumbull, Emily Kirsch, of Fairfield, and Sarah Capodagli, of Monroe, Youth Volunteers of the Year; Richmond Wilson, of Bridgeport, the James Rebeta Client Achievement Award; and David Kmetz, of Trumbull, Silver Bowl Award.
The Kennedy Center is a nationally accredited, nonprofit, community-based rehabilitation organization that serves 2,400 individuals annually. It operates 26 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and children”™s programs.
