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Partnering to Create Employment for People With Disabilities

Parents Alliance Employment Project (PAEP) was founded in 1982 by parents fighting to mainstream their children with disabilities in public schools and their DuPage County, Illinois communities. Today, PAEP is an accredited state provider for people with disabilities serving DuPage and three surrounding counties. The organization is a leading Supported Employment Provider offering individuals with disabilities career counseling, job training and preparation, job development, job placement, job coaching, support, and follow-up services. 

Situation

PAEP helps 200 people with disabilities find employment every year. It works with Northwestern Medicine, which hosts three Project SEARCH sites that offer three 10-week internships that allow them to gain real-life vocational skills in various hospital departments. Another program, Inspired by Ability, is a paid job training program for individuals with disabilities between 18 to 24 who have exited the school system.

Even with successful programs and 40 years of experience training and placing employees with disabilities, finding the right employment situation for each client can be challenging for organizations like PAEP. “Every client has unique abilities and disabilities, and some can be challenging to place,” said Maggie Meyer, Vocational Transitionist at PAEP. “Finding the ‘job’ is just the beginning of a successful long-term placement. Employers and employees both need support.”

Solution

When Casey Nunes, Employment Success Manager at PRIDE Industries, approached PAEP about matching the organization’s candidates with job opportunities through our Inclusive Talent Solutions partners, they knew they had found an invaluable partner. “We discussed our team and our candidates and how we could advocate for our employees,” Maggie said. “We started with two janitorial positions at Ingram Micro, and the relationship has grown from there.”

“The relationship works because Casey and PRIDE Industries are on-site to support the employer and the employee,” said PAEP program manager Khushbu Davi. “Employees get the accommodations they need, and employers get workers that exceed expectations.” PRIDE Industries and PAEP have since filled many permanent positions to date at Ingram Micro.

“I can’t overstate how valuable it is to have a partner that ‘gets it,’” Maggie said. “Casey and PRIDE Industries understand that you can’t just fill a position and step away.” She tells the story of Jad, a person who is non-verbal, who faced challenges to obtaining employment due to communication barriers. PAEP and PRIDE Industries helped Jad land a position as a fulfillment packager with a supportive employer. Both are thrilled. “When you get that right fit, it is such a great feeling,” Maggie said. 

Services Provided

  • Employment Preparation and Placement
  • Job Coaching

Become an Agency Partner

Does your agency provide services to people with disabilities, military veterans, foster youth, or trafficking survivors? Consider becoming a PRIDE Industries Agency Partner.
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Parents Alliance Employment Project

“The relationship works because Casey and PRIDE Industries are on-site to support the employer and the employee. Employees get the accommodations they need, and employers get workers that exceed expectations.” ”

— Khushbu Davi, PAEP Program Manager

Global, independent accreditor recognizes the organization’s leadership in providing high quality offerings for people with disabilities

Roseville, Calif. — PRIDE Industries, the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, has received the prestigious three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an international, nonprofit health and human services accreditor. This recognizes that PRIDE Industries has made a specific commitment to put the needs of their participants at the center of the services they design and deliver, and that they strive to continuously improve efficiency, fiscal health, and service quality and delivery.

PRIDE Industries’ three-year accreditation applies to the social enterprise’s programs and services in:

  • Community Employment Services: Employment Supports
  • Community Employment Services: Job Development
  • Employment Developing Services
  • Employment Planning Services

“We are pleased that we achieved the acclaimed three-year CARF recertification,” said Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke, Chief Rehabilitation Officer at PRIDE Industries. “This is a testament to PRIDE Industries’ dedication and commitment to continuously improving the quality of our services that fulfill our mission to create employment for people with disabilities.”

In part, the CARF report lauded PRIDE Industries for:

  • Providing excellent employment services, employee development services, and employment planning services.
  • Being highly regarded in the community and building positive relationships with partners and employees.
  • Holding safety as a high priority.
  • High satisfaction from persons served, families, and other stakeholders.
  • Longevity of leadership, which provides continuity to the organization’s mission.

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit organization with a focus on advancing the quality of programs in health and human services. For those being served, CARF accreditation means that the CARF-accredited provider is committed to reducing risk, addressing health and safety concerns, respecting preferences of individuals (cultural or otherwise), and providing the best quality of care possible. The accreditation also shows that the accredited organization values the feedback and input of their customers with disabilities and is accountable to the community. And, finally, accreditation demonstrates that an organization has opened its service delivery and business processes to outside scrutiny to improve the quality of their programs.

 

PRIDE Industries has successfully maintained CARF International accreditation since it was first applied for in 1976.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day. Learn more at https://PRIDEIndustries.com.

Media Contact
Kat Maudru
(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

A Life-Changing Opportunity for Mental Health Recovery

In 2018, Saad’s life changed forever when he experienced a severe psychotic episode with intense paranoia. This episode landed him in the hospital, where staff diagnosed him with bipolar disorder, psychosis, stimulant use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Despite the obstacles he faced, Saad decided to take this moment and dedicate himself to recovery.

Through perseverance and a determination to get his life on a more positive footing, Saad became sober and earned employment as a busser. However, he felt ready for a change and wanted a more stable career. In 2021, Saad got the support team that he needed when he joined our Mental Health Cooperative Program, which is part of PRIDE Industries’ Employment Services Department. From the start, Saad impressed everyone on his support team with his work ethic, and after undergoing a vocational assessment, he decided to pursue a career in pest control. Our staff was there to make this dream a reality.

Mental Health in the Workplace: How Employment Preparation Leads to a Career

At PRIDE Industries, we realize how important the role of employment is for emotional wellness. And we aren’t the only ones. According to a report by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, a job raises self-esteem, improves financial stressors, and provides coping strategies for psychiatric symptoms.

This was certainly the case for Saad, as he takes pride in self-sufficiency and independence.

After his assessment, Saad took the initiative and researched the vocational requirements for his chosen field. He even interviewed pest control professionals. This hard work culminated in success when Saad earned a full-time position with a pest control company in 2022. Saad is now happily employed, and knows he can count on PRIDE Industries’ mental health cooperative team to provide any support or advocacy he may need.

“We are so proud of Saad and his commitment to achieving his dreams and maintaining his health,” said Georgia Bielz, Employment Services Manager at PRIDE Industries. “This really is just the beginning for him.”

Join us in our mission

Your donations make it possible for us to help people like Saad succeed in a career they love.
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“We are so proud of Saad and his commitment to achieving his dreams and maintaining his health.”

—Georgia Bielz, Employment Services Manager at PRIDE Industries
Saad, a mental health employment services coop participant, wearing a gray shirt.
Saad, a participant in our Mental Health Employment Services Cooperative Program

As the pandemic raged and basic goods went missing from our favorite stores’ shelves, the supply chain links involved in getting a product from point A to point Z were illuminated. And, turns out, one of the most imperative is truck transportation. Yet, given the job’s demands and workforce demographics, the trucking industry was already experiencing a decline in drivers. The pandemic compounded this trend, while creating a marked increase in e-commerce and home-delivered goods. As a result, the last two years have seen companies lose even more long-haul truckers. But one big-box giant is changing that.

This April, Walmart raised salaries for first-year truckers to between $95,000 and $110,000 annually.

The average American trucker’s salary is about $56,491. Walmart, already known for paying its truckers better than average, is nearly doubling that. But will other large retailers follow suit? Moreover, is the importance of a well-linked supply chain changing the way companies think—not only about truckers, but about all employees involved in getting goods from the manufacturer to seller to end-user?

Wage increases, across the supply-chain employee spectrum, suggest the answer is “yes.”

According to Material Handling & Logistics News, 59 percent of supply chain workers received a salary increase during the pandemic. And the trend isn’t limited to the U.S.

In Britain, for example, a recent survey shows that truckers and dock workers have become more appreciated by the general public than teachers or the police. Commenting on the survey’s results, Tim Morris, Chief Executive of the UK Major Ports Group, said, “More of the public have also woken up to the complex, sophisticated supply chains that deliver our just-in-time lives and businesses.” (Source: Financial Times)

And this appreciation isn’t just a matter of words. In 2021, British truck drivers’ salaries rose—some by as much as 40 percent overnight, according to a BBC article.

 

While Brexit has factored into the loss of truckers in the U.K., other reasons cited match those here in the U.S., including an aging workforce entering retirement, relatively low wages, workers pivoting to less-grueling industries, and COVID-19-related concerns—all in addition to the exhausting nature of the job, itself.

survey
Source: BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/57810729

Back in the U.S., supply-chain staffing woes may get worse before they get better. For example, as West Coast union dock workers’ contracts move toward June expiration, the possibility of strike looms. Relatively well paid by standards typically attributed to “blue collar” jobs, longshore workers cite the dangers associated with their work and the huge profits made by the companies whose goods they move.

With both dock workers and truckers willing to leave their jobs, might Walmart’s move to raise its truck drivers’ wages signal a new value applied to supply chain workers at large?

Jonathan Starks, chief intelligence officer at FTR Transportation Intelligence, thinks so. In a multi-published statement, Starks said it was “likely other firms would follow Walmart’s approach to lift pay for drivers, including for-hire carriers . . .” (Source: Financial Times)

As for Walmart, not only are they looking to hire truck drivers, they’re also looking to keep them.

Those ways aren’t yet clear, but one thing is: All organizations that rely on supply chain workers will need to step up their recruitment and retention offerings.

Tony Lopez, Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics Services for PRIDE Industries, concurs.

“Companies are having to look at industry-competitive compensation in real-time, to stay ahead of the curve, or risk losing applicants,” said Lopez. “They also risk losing their existing workforces to companies that pay more—and are right around the corner.”

Interested in partnering with PRIDE Industries to help your business?

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“More of the public have also woken up to the complex, sophisticated supply chains that deliver our just-in-time lives and businesses.”

(Source: Financial Times)

“In that moment when you really connect with a client, you get to see what an incredible impact a job has on their lives.”


Job coaches are essential to our mission, as they help thousands of people with disabilities reach successful, long-term employment. By providing custom one-on-one training, tailored to each individual, coaches empower their clients to earn confidence, self-sufficiency, and growth in their positions. Job coaches also work with businesses to request disability accommodations or job carving for their clients—creating win-win situations for both employers and their dedicated employees with disabilities. 

We are fortunate to have many dedicated job coaches on our staff. But we also need your support. By donating to The Michael Ziegler PRIDE Industries Foundation, you make it possible for us to hire more job coaches and ensure employment success for more people with disabilities. 

The nonprofit social enterprise is named a VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer Honoree

Roseville, Calif. — PRIDE Industries has earned the designation of VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer, as part of the 2022 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. The acknowledgement recognizes the nonprofit social enterprise’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community.

 

“PRIDE Industries has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to veterans and the military community through its efforts to recruit, support, and promote those who served our country bravely,” said George Altman, managing director of VETS Indexes.

 

As the most objective and comprehensive evaluation of veteran employers, the VETS Indexes Employer Awards’ in-depth survey and recognition program analyzes employers’ policies, practices, and outcomes, in detail, across the following five categories:

  • Veteran job candidate recruiting and hiring
  • Veteran employee development and retention
  • Veteran-inclusive company policies and culture
  • Support for members of the National Guard and Reserves
  • Military spouse/family support

“PRIDE Industries’ VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer rating once again demonstrates our commitment to seeking and supporting veterans’ employment opportunities,” said Major General (Retired) Casey Blake, Chief Operating Officer at PRIDE Industries. “Another strong validation that we’re ‘all in’ when it comes to supporting America’s heroes and their families.”

 

PRIDE Industries recognizes that the experience veterans gain serving our country makes them valuable employees. The organization currently employs hundreds of veterans in all areas of the company and has provided support and services to thousands more in the form of coaching, ensuring job readiness, and providing employment placement assistance.

 

“VETS Indexes recognizes companies dedicated to providing employment opportunities and careers for our nation’s veteran heroes and their families,” said Frank Goehringer, Veterans Liaison at PRIDE Industries. “This award, however, really belongs to the veterans, disabled veterans, and their spouses. Veterans represent one of our nation’s richest talent pools.”

 

Resources for veterans include PRIDE Industries’ one-of-a-kind I AM ABLE employment helpline [(844) 426-2253], a dedicated Veterans Liaison, and a Military Skills Translator tool that helps veterans match their skills and talent to a civilian career. In addition, PRIDE Industries can help veterans access paid internships as well as mentoring and training programs. And to help other companies increase their hiring of diverse candidates, including veterans, the company provides recruiting services through its Inclusive Talent Solutions service.

 

“One of the best ways to help veterans is to connect them with fulfilling and meaningful careers at organizations where they can develop their skills and grow into senior leaders,” said Altman. “As a VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer, PRIDE Industries has proven to be a welcoming home for veterans and military spouses who want to start the next phases in their lives.”

 

Nearly 120 organizations submitted surveys to be considered for the awards, including large and small companies, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities. Of the organizations who participated in the award process, PRIDE Industries was one of only 24 to receive the VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer recognition.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day. Learn more at https://PRIDEIndustries.com.

About VETS Indexes

VETS Indexes is an independent provider of custom indexes within the Environmental, Social and Governance arena.  Drawing on deep and broad industry experience, we construct and disseminate thematic impact indexes for investors, exchanges, and asset managers which serve as the underlying portfolios for financial products. As the world’s first resource for U.S. Military Veterans’ themed indexes, our mission is to provide innovative solutions that recognize the value created by the mission critical mindset, unique skill sets, and specialized training that veterans bring to the workplace. Our Mission also includes a commitment to always donate a significant portion (target of 20% and no less than 5%) of our net profits to charitable organizations that support the wellness of our Military Veterans and their families. Learn more at VETSIndexes.com.  

Are you a veteran?

At PRIDE Industries, U.S. veterans will find a team that welcomes and supports them as they develop their future careers.
Learn More
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.