Work Units provide the structure that is responsible for daily operation of Connections.  Members make choices about their participation.  The following description was written by a member who was the team leader in recent member-led evaluations of Connections. 

"Opportunities learned here through work give people the benefit 

of moving into the community by coping with their illness.  

That ties or integrates people into their community because the work ethic helps people deal with their illness — working is therapeutic. 

When you come here to a work unit, you learn skills that 

help you go into the community to find work or to integrate back 

into the community by applying the work you do here.  Also, 

you are accepted here and there is no stigma because of your illness — 

it helps people feel included.  

As one member we interviewed says about being a member: 

' it feels like going to work, getting to know and learn about work skills, which helps you deal with wellness and working without pressure.'  

Therefore, people can feel accepted and are more 

successfully integrated into the community."