Taunton, MA: Mechanics Cooperative Bank is once again proud to support our local community with a $26,000 charitable gift to PRIDE Inc. (Preparatory Rehabilitation for Individual Development and Employment, Inc.), for the purchase of a brand new transport van in support of their Community Employment and Placement Program. Employment specialists at PRIDE work step-by-step with job seekers who have been diagnosed with a disability. PRIDE Inc. helps develop career plans at a pace that’s consistent with individual abilities with services that include job training, job placement and/or job retention.
PRIDE, Inc. provides quality vocational, social and alternate residential programs for individuals with developmental, cognitive or intellectual disabilities. Dedicated to improving the quality of people’s lives, PRIDE’s philosophy is that everyone who wants to work, can work, and should be able to live the most independent lifestyle of their choice. PRIDE Inc. serves hundreds of individuals from Raynham, Middleboro, Attleboro, Berkley, Dighton, Norton, Rehoboth, Brockton, Seekonk, Wareham, Bridgewater, Lakeville, North Attleboro, and Foxboro. Their mission is “to improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities, empowering them to become productive and valued members of their community.” Since its inception in 1969, PRIDE Inc. has progressively expanded programs and services to meet the needs of the community and currently offers a range of high-quality, community-based programs including Adult Day Habilitation, career-to-work, vocational rehabilitation and job placement programs.
Joseph T. Baptista Jr., President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank commented, “We are proud to support PRIDE Inc. and their mission statement, aimed at improving the quality of life in our community. The purchase of the new transport van will allow PRIDE Inc. Members additional opportunities for employment. I would also like to personally thank Sergio Bento and the team at Luka-B-Signs for their contribution to this great cause. When asked to provide a quote to wrap the new transport, Sergio stepped-up and donated the materials and labor to make the van look exceptional.”
PRIDE Inc, proudly supported by Mechanics Cooperative Bank helps members improve independence through a variety of activities, both on-site and in our community. These services help improve lifetime skills and individual well-being through engaging activities. The major components include self-care, including medical and health, nutrition, hygiene and grooming; sensory motor development, including visual, gross and fine motor skills; and eye-hand coordination; communication and receptive language; self-direction, including rights and responsibilities, orientation, and advocacy; activities of daily living, from meal preparation, to shopping, to cooking and money management; self-development of interpersonal and social skills, self-esteem, decision making and judgment skills; self-preservation and safety, including first aid and fire safety; and affective development with emotional identification, stress management and coping skills.
Joanne Storres, Executive Director of PRIDE Inc. “Thanks Mechanics Cooperative Bank for all they have done for PRIDE Inc. over the years, and our local community. Mechanics Cooperative Bank’s support and purchase of this new transport van has allowed us to expand the employment and vocational opportunities for learning and development for our members. I would also like to thank Luka-B-Signs for their generosity toward this project and for their commitment to our community. We will continue to help people, and improve lives every single day, and the support of organizations like Mechanics Cooperative Bank and Luka-B-Signs is integral to our success.”
Luka-B-Signs is located at 39 Tremont Street, Taunton and can be reached at 508-822-9022.
With total assets of $450 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank with eight conveniently located branches in Bridgewater, Taunton, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River and Westport. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit www.Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member SIF. Equal Housing Lender.
Presenting the new transport van to PRIDE Inc. is (from left) Andrew Hewitt, CFO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank and PRIDE Inc. Board Member, Joanne Storrs, Executive Director of PRIDE Inc. and Sergio Bento, owner of Luka-B-Signs.
