"I was really honored to be asked," Stroud said. "It is a great opportunity."
Joan Burnett, a Club Nova staff member for 12 years, said the program, strictly for the mentally ill, has been extremely successful.
She said the program staff find jobs for members and then train the interested members for the jobs, which usually last six to nine months.
Burnett acknowledge that some difficulties associated with mental illnesses, such as hospitalization, lead to some initial trepidation among employers.
"There is some apprehension by employers because there are often lots of questions and some uncertainty," Burnett said.
"It is often hard for employers to understand some of the problems associated with a mental illness."
Evonne Bradford, executive director of the mental health organization and the person who hired Stroud, said she agrees that there can be worry among transitional employers. "Anytime a person is deemed different there is some natural apprehension," Bradford said. "But one of the best approaches to overcoming stigma is to get to know and understand what is being stigmatized."
Burnett said the Club Nova staff members generally overcome these employment obstacles through advocating. "We usually go and speak with the employer and discuss each potential employee's traits," she said.
"The employers often find that these people want to work and can do a good job -- often better than some of their other employees."
Tommy Brickhouse, University Mail Services manager, who has been hiring people in the program for about 12 years, said his involvement with the program has been beneficial to his business.
"There has never been a situation with Club Nova that has caused any kind of concern," Brickhouse said. "These are highly functional individuals, and they always provide us with a real service."
Marty King, manager of Nice Price Books in Carrboro, who has also hired employees from the transitional employment program, said working with Club Nova members is as much as a learning experience for him as for the employees.
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"People always have preconceived notions about mental illnesses," King said. "Every employee has been a great asset to us, and I've learned a lot by working with them."
Currently, King employs Crayton Wanders, a founding member of Club Nova who gained employment at Nice Price four years ago independently after working two jobs through the transitional employment program.
Wanders, 51, says programs like Club Nova's have been innovative in helping to rehabilitate mentally ill people.
"In many ways, this is a road back for the mentally ill," Wanders said. "It helps them help themselves."
For Angela Stroud, the program has not only helped her find a job but also helped her make a difference in the community. "It helped me live a stable life again and placed me back into society," Stroud said.
"Through my work with the mental health association, I also get to give back to society."
The Features Editor can be reached at features@unc.edu.