BHcare honors Greater New Haven employees, employers in Ansonia

By Patricia Villers
Register Staff
ANSONIA — A West Haven native who has worked for more than a year at The Original Antonio’s Restaurant on Main Street was honored Wednesday as BHcare’s Employee of the Year at its 18th annual Employment Salute luncheon at John J. Sullivan’s Restaurant.
Michelle Bernier, a 2008 culinary graduate from Platt Technical High School in Milford, received an award from community job developer John Yeager.
BHcares’ Business Advisory Council sponsors the Employment Salute. More than 70 people attended. BHcares, a behavioral health care provider, serves the Valley, Greater New Haven and the Shoreline. Birmingham Group Health Services in Ansonia merged last year with Harbor Health Services in Branford to form BHcare.
Bernier’s employer, The Original Antonio’s Restaurant, received the Employer of the Year Award.
Bernier thanked the organization for the opportunity. Her BHcare counselor, Linda Cline, was beaming with pride. “I’ve never seen anyone grow so much, both in employment and socially,” she said.
Yeager presented an inspirational achievement award to James McGrath, who has worked in BHcare’s enclave at the W.E. Bassett Co. in Shelton for many years.

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