Help Sought for Employment Agency after "Tragic Weekend"
An deliberately set fire destroyed vans that Employment Options uses to transport its clients to work and other appointments.
A local human services agency that provides basic job and life skills support to those suffering mental illness or struggling with low income is looking for the public's help after a weekend fire that was set deliberately destroyed vans it uses to transport clients.
Employment Options Inc. said its fleet of vans was hit by fire early Saturday morning. Insurance is not expected to cover the full cost of replacing the vans, the agency said.
Police and fire crews responded to the agency's facility at 82 Brigham St. around 2 a.m. Saturday and found an active fire that police say was set by someone who committed suicide by setting their own vehicle on fire. Police did not release the identity of that person or any further information.
Davis Cowles, a volunteer at Employment Options, said the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority was quick to offer a temporary loan of some vans until the agency can find the funding for permanent replacements. He said people have been quick to offer financial support and other help.
"We had such a tragic weekend," Cowles said. "Everyone was in shock. Those vans are everything because our clients don't drive. They allow us to help so many people.
"If anyone has a used van that is in good shape they could donate, it would be appreciated and put to great use," he added.
Anyone who wishes to help Employment Options is asked to call 508-485-5051- EXT. 222 or to contact the agency at www.employmentoptions.org.
Serenity
9:21 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Don't they have insurance??
Paul Bishop
10:21 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I have to agree.. where is the insurance? Even in the case of Arson, as long as it is not the owner that did it, there had to be insurance on the vehicles. This agency does a lot of good work, but if there wasn't replacement insurance on the vehicles that are their entire mission, there is a serious issue in the management of the organization.
Has the agency offered any explanation for this? I know that most automotive insurers would have a rep onsite within hours of a loss this large, especially given the importance.
Two little munchkins
10:43 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
"Insurance is not expected to cover the full cost of replacing the vans, the agency said." Insurance will probably only give them the depreciated value of the vehicles which is rarely enough to purchase replacements even if it is used. If they lost 3 vans, the total $$ for them will probably only cover 1 or 2 if they are lucky. And if they were really old, then it will probably not even be enough to cover 1 semi-new one.
Paul Bishop
10:54 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
@two - Exactly. This is purely a function of not insuring the vans properly. If they carried replacement insurance, as would be prudent for an organization that absolutely depends upon it's vehicles, replacement value would be covered. Carrying minimum insurance is a bad idea, and here is why.
Now, it's a crisis, instead of just an insurance claim.
Two little munchkins
4:31 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I agree although that insurance isn't always available for these types of companies and when it is, it's not exactly cheap. For these types of organizations, it becomes a choice between buying premium insurance and hiring someone who can drive the van or not having a van at all. I don't work with them and only know them superficially, but I am guessing with more than one vehicle, they took the chance even if one was totaled, they had the other 2 or 3 or however many they had until they can get another and hope they never lose their entire fleet at once (especially by a suicide bomb??) It seems like they do good things, so would rather have them in the community then not - hopefully Marlborough can help them.
recruitment agency
4:43 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
As a nonprofit agency it is committed to increasing the quality of its service while reducing costs and running more efficiently.
http://www.dougleschan.com/