By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Marlborough – After a devastating fire that destroyed three transport vans belonging to the nonprofit agency Employment Options, Inc., the organization's management is now trying to determine what steps to take next to help their clientele.
Police and fire officials believe a man parked his car early Saturday morning, June 16, in an empty spot between two of Employment Options” vans at the agency's 82 Brigham St. location. He then allegedly set his car on fire, which then quickly spread to the two vans next to his as well as a third van, completely destroying all of the vehicles. The man perished in the fire.
The incident has left the staff and Employment Options “members,” as their clients are called, in a state of shock, Toni Wolf, the agency's executive director said.
“It's hard to imagine. Obviously this was an individual in an enormous deal of pain to do something like this,” she said.
“The parking lot is back a bit from the road,” Wolf added. “A neighbor heard the vans” alarms going off and called the police. But the vans were destroyed before the fire department could get there.”
Employment Options assists over 220 people from the Metro West area each month, Wolf said. The agency's members are people who are focused on taking control of their mental health and/or are dealing with issues related to low-income. The agency provides a variety of support services including helping members find jobs, offering family and recreational support and providing daily meals.
The three vans are a critical part of those services, Wolf said; six days a week the vans make 15-20 trips to pick up approximately 56 members, drive them to the Employment Options headquarters as well as to their jobs and then bring them back home. For those members who do not have their own transportation or have access to public transportation, the vans provide a lifeline, she said.
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) has loaned Employment Options the use of two vans for the week, Wolf said, and Grace Baptist Church has loaned them one as well. But as grateful as the staff is, she added, the loans are just a “Band-Aid,” as the vans must be returned.
Each of the vans, which seats about 15 people, costs approximately $40,000. Even if insurance covers some of that cost, there is no extra money in the Employment Options accounts to pay for the balance, Wolf noted. Compounding the situation, she added, is that the agency is anticipating that it will lose approximately $200,000 in state funding this fall.
“We are asking the public's help now – anything you can do, such as donate an old van or make a monetary contribution,” she said.
“Our members are sad, confused and feeling very vulnerable right now,” she added. “That's the best way I can describe how we all feel – vulnerable.”
Anyone who wishes to help the agency may contact Wolf at (508) 485-5051, extension 222?or email [email protected]. Donations may be sent to Employment Options, Inc. ?82 Brigham Street Marlborough, MA 01752.
According to Detective Scott DeCiero?of the Marlborough Police Department the incident is still under investigation by the city's Police and Fire Departments, as well as the State Fire Marshal's office.