People with Disabilities

Nationwide campaign will take place in October

Sacramento, Calif.

PRIDE Industries today announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Established by Congress in 1988, NDEAM is celebrated every October as a way to raise awareness of disability employment issues. Moreover, it’s also a time to reflect upon and recognize the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

 

“As the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, we embrace NDEAM as a way to spread the message that people with diverse abilities are valuable contributors to a vibrant and productive workforce,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries. “60 percent of the workforce in our fast-growing organization has a disability. Every day, we prove the value of an inclusive workforce model through our operational success across multiple industries. We show company leaders that if we can do it, so can they.”

Promoting Awareness for More Inclusive Employment

Throughout the month, PRIDE Industries will share employee and customer success stories. These stories demonstrate the social impacts and business benefits of inclusive hiring. And it will encourage its over 300 customer organizations to promote their support of an inclusive workplace to generate awareness. For more than 55 years, PRIDE Industries has worked to create an inclusive world. The goal of this work is for people of all abilities to have equal access to achieving their employment goals. In recognition of its many successes, PRIDE Industries was recognized as a 2021 Top Disability-Friendly Company by DIVERSEability Magazine and a 2021 Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD).

 

“We stand for normalizing workplace inclusion,” said Vic Wursten, Chief Rehabilitation Officer. “That’s why we offer training, internships, and the job support needed for success. Our industry-leading, people-centered programs enable individuals to have long, productive careers, whether working at PRIDE Industries or with one of our many corporate partners. And because we also provide a wide range of business services—including facilities management, manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management—we’re able to offer a broad spectrum of career opportunities to thousands of people with disabilities.”

Meeting Diverse Employment Needs

PRIDE Industries also provides career and support services to military veterans, former foster youth, and trafficking survivors. In addition, PRIDE partners with companies of all sizes to instruct executives, managers, and employees on cultivating a successful inclusive workplace.

 

“We encourage employers and employees in all industries to learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Dern. “And we urge them to visit www.dol.gov/NDEAM to find important information and get ideas about how to support people with disabilities.”

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.

 

Need employment placement support?

Contact our I AM ABLE Helpline to discuss your options.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru

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

Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer at PRIDE Industries, tells Capital Public Radio listeners about the I-AM-ABLE job placement helpline, the first-ever employment hotline for people with disabilities.

 

https://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2021/09/30/sacramento-biz-journal-update-subminimum-wage-bill-work-hotline-for-employees-with-disabilities-apple-hill-highlights/ (9/30/21)

 

Need employment placement support?

Contact our I AM ABLE Helpline to discuss your options.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru

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

The hiring program will prioritize jobs for individuals with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, and other groups with high unemployment rates.

Roseville, Calif. — PRIDE Industries is partnering with Clark Pacific, the industry leader in prefabricated building systems, to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other individuals who face barriers to employment. Clark Pacific will work with PRIDE Industries’ Inclusive Talent Solutions (ITS) group to place hundreds of people into full-time and part-time positions. These positions will range from general labor to specialists, such as in welding, prefabrication, materials mixtures and more.

PRIDE Industries, a nonprofit social enterprise, is the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities. The organization recruits, trains, and provides on-the-job support for people with disabilities through a network of more than 300 employers. These efforts help our partner companies access an expanded talent pool to include people of diverse abilities.

PRIDE Industries also offers expertise in creating sustainable employment for military veterans, former foster youth, trafficking survivors, and others needing a helping hand to overcome barriers to employment.

Providing Second Chances and Meaningful Jobs

One such population are individuals who were formerly incarcerated. To assist these individuals as they integrate back into society, Clark Pacific is a second chance employer. This means that they do not require background checks for certain jobs, allowing those who have paid their debt to society to participate in gainful employment. Those hired earn livable wages and benefit from career advancement opportunities as well as a full suite of union benefits.

 

“At Clark Pacific, we believe that everyone deserves an opportunity,” said John Hasna, Associate Director of Talent Management at Clark Pacific. “When we’re seeking to fill a position, what matters most to us is a person’s work ethic. We have high standards for quality and customer service, and we count on all our employees to meet these goals.”

Success through Hiring Individuals with Disabilities and Other Barriers to Employment

A pioneer in the prefabricated building systems industry, Clark Pacific offers customers high-quality construction. This construction results in buildings that are both environmentally friendly and cost effective. A proud inclusive employer, the company also prioritizes hiring groups of individuals who are often overlooked.

 

It’s a hiring perspective that fits well with PRIDE Industries’ mission, and also the goals of the nonprofit’s ITS team.

 

“Inclusive Talent Solutions is proud to partner with Clark Pacific,” said DeShawn Cann, Director of Workforce Solutions at PRIDE Industries. “We are confident we can help Clark Pacific meet its hiring goals and effectively utilize its diverse workforce. And certainly, the high-quality construction and manufacturing opportunities available at Clark Pacific is ideal for anyone seeking a rewarding and meaningful career.”

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, as well as staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment and meaningful jobs for individuals with disabilities. To that end, 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://www.PRIDEIndustries.com.

About Clark Pacific

Clark Pacific is a leading manufacturer of prefabricated building systems. We are transforming design and construction by delivering high quality, cost-effective buildings with less risk. Clark Pacific paves the way for prefabrication as a smarter, safer and more efficient way to bring great designs to life. Clark Pacific also collaborates with construction owners and design-build teams to develop and deliver prefabricated building systems for commercial and institutional projects of any size and complexity. For more information, visit www.clarkpacific.com.

Need employment placement support?

Contact our I AM ABLE Helpline to discuss your options.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru

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

Corporate leadership to spotlight the value of people with disabilities in creating a high-performance inclusive workplace

Roseville, Calif. – PRIDE Industries has assembled an elite team of business executives to serve on its Inclusive Talent Solutions (ITS) Advisory Group. This all-volunteer body will develop new business opportunities as well as strategic advice in support of programs for increased access, choice, development, and growth for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

ITS builds successful, sustainable inclusive workforces for PRIDE Industries’ partner companies through its recruitment, training, and on-the-job coaching programs. The long-term goal of the ITS Advisory Group is to normalize differences across the organizational employment lifecycle, which not only benefits people who typically face barriers to employment, but also leads to positive business outcomes. To that end, ITS will play a key role in achieving PRIDE Industries’ ultimate goal of creating 100,000 jobs for people with disabilities.

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

The ITS business grew out of PRIDE Industries’ more than five decades of experience creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities. PRIDE Industries’ ITS offers a full suite of talent acquisition services that includes comprehensive inclusive workforce training, so that companies can create a culture where people of all abilities thrive.

 

The founding members of the ITS Advisory Group are all leaders of companies that share the goal of greater inclusivity in the workplace.

 

“We are inspired and encouraged by these corporate executives’ passion, and their decision to help reduce the unemployment rate for people with disabilities,” said Dan Robin, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships (ITS) at PRIDE Industries. “These executives’ experience in leading change for global companies, combined with their commitment to helping businesses see the value of investing and prioritizing in this talent solution, are unprecedented.”

The Founding Members

PRIDE Industries’ inaugural ITS Advisory Group members include:

“We are excited to work with this amazing team of executives to bring a much-needed talent solution to Fortune 500 organizations and other entities—while making a positive social impact in our communities,” said Matt Anderson, Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions at PRIDE Industries. “We are sincerely thankful for the ITS Advisory Group’s commitment to sharing their wisdom and experience. Together, we will rapidly expand ITS employer partnerships and employment opportunities for thousands of under-served individuals with disabilities across the country.”

 

For more information about PRIDE Industries’ Inclusive Talent Solutions, contact Dan Robin at dan.robin@prideindustries.com or visit https://www.PRIDEIndustries.com.

About PRIDE Industries

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


Learn more at https://www.PRIDEIndustries.com

Workplace inclusion benefits all

When inclusion at work becomes a goal for your business, everyone wins. Learn more about the many ways you can work with PRIDE Industries to build an inclusive workplace, expand your staff, and create jobs for people with disabilities.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru

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

PRIDE Industries was featured in Style Magazine’s Disability Visibility: Programs with a Purpose article which listed several local nonprofits that advocate for equal employment, social inclusion and quality of life for disabled individuals. The article listed several types of disabilities that are aided by these nonprofits, including birth defects, developmental conditions,  injuries resulting in disability, progressive conditions, etc.

 

The article highlighted the history of PRIDE Industries, our services, our new I-AM-ABLE (844-426-2253) job helpline and our Inclusive Talent Solutions services to train companies in best practices for an inclusive workplace.

PRIDE has a wide array of person-centered career services

Since 1966, PRIDE has provided support services and opportunities for those most often excluded from employment, including people with visual impairments and other disabilities.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru

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

Wearable, data-driven fitness technology motivates and empowers individuals

Roseville, Calif. — PRIDE Industries, the country’s leading employer of people with disabilities, will provide kitting and assembly services to Heart Zones, a pioneer in the field of science-based heart rate training programs and devices. PRIDE Industries will build, package, and ship Heart Zones’ premier exercise product, the Blink Armband. Heart Zones’ Blink Armband is a lightweight heart rate monitor that converts data into individualized, actionable exercise recommendations. This useful tool is often used, for example, by health clubs and in K-12 school physical education programs. The accompanying software allows coaches and instructors to monitor fitness progress in real time.

“As demand for the Blink Armband has increased, I’ve been looking for a way to re-shore production and get our product to our customers more quickly,” said Sal Edwards, CEO and founder. A triathlete, ultra-marathoner, exercise scientist, and best-selling author, Sal founded Heart Zones in 1993. “And I knew I could count on PRIDE Industries, given our past partnership.”

Thirty years ago, PRIDE Industries partnered with Sal Edwards. During this partnership, PRIDE built, kitted, and shipped products for her previous company, Yuba Shoes. For several years, the footwear company made snowshoes used by various military branches, particularly the Marines.

“We value our longstanding, trusted partnership with Sal. The Blink Armband production will be performed in our state-of-the-art Roseville manufacturing facility,” said Tony Lopez, Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics Services for PRIDE Industries. “By building the accessory kits for the Blink Armband—a strap, clasps, and connectors—PRIDE Industries is excited to help Heart Zones motivate and empower Americans to improve their fitness.”

PRIDE Industries employees will use sonic welder machines to manufacture the accessory kits for the Blink Armband. Also, PRIDE will train employees with disabilities to operate this equipment, which is a valuable, transferable job skill.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance, custodial, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment, 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 Heart Zones

For over 25 years, Heart Zones, Inc. has provided the latest in scientific-based heart rate training technology, fitness training programs, certifications, books and educational materials for coaches, athletes and individuals. Founded by author, professional athlete and exercise scientist Sally Edwards, MA, MBA, the company was first to introduce networked fitness with the patented Threshold Training System™ for use in individual and group fitness training settings. Heart Zones, Inc continues to innovate and pioneer new technologies and training programs. These technologies and training programs target both individual and group training environments with the mission to get America fit. Learn more at https://www.heartzones.com

We can help your business grow

Learn more about our kitting and assembly services.   
Media Contact
Kat Maudru

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