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For Chapter 224 (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review), union means a lot of things including helping members in times of need.
The chapter is doing just that with its newly-launched Community Action Alerts.
“As Union Brothers and Sisters, we are part of a greater community that willingly cares for each other,” wrote Chapter 224 President Christie Saunders in the first email alert. “As members of this community, we reinforce our commitment to help each other as the need arises.”
The first message was devoted to soliciting donations for the Social Security Administration’s Volunteer Leave Transfer Program (VLTP) for a member experiencing dire hardship.
Lauren Ryan-Rico, a Senior Attorney in ODAR’s Boston Hearing Office, recently suffered two medical emergencies that have left her the sole financial provider and primary caretaker for both her husband and 10-year-old son. A year ago, Ryan-Rico’s son experienced an unexpected complication during a routine medical procedure that now requires daily treatments and regular visits to specialist. It happened within days of his father undergoing emergency orthopedic surgery. During the father’s recovery, he cannot bear weight or drive a vehicle for several months.
The Chapter 224 Community Action Alert provides instructions and forms for employees to donate leave to Ryan-Rico so that she can have the time she needs to care for her family.
Ryan-Rico is grateful for the chapter’s efforts. “Her relief knowing that she’s getting more help, even if it’s just a little, is palpable,” said Chapter 224 Region 2 Vice President Jessica Murphy, who helped create the alerts.
“As a chapter, we are more than just an organization that fights for our members; we support each other professionally and personally,” said Saunders. “While this message may be the first of its kind, it most certainly is not the last.”