Job Training Program Empowers People with Disabilities
Being involved with a job training program serving people with disabilities is very rewarding. We are very grateful for the opportunity to partner with United Cerebral Palsy. Their mission: “To advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. UCP educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.”
It is amazing to see how we can positively impact someone’s life, and also how quickly they can become an asset to our company. This is really a win-win situation and we are proud to partner with UCPNV!
Watch a Video Recap
KTVN Channel 2 – Reno Tahoe Sparks News, Weather, Video
Read the original article below “Inspiring More Companies in Nevada To Hire People With Disabilities” by KTVN’s Angela Schilling.
“Getting a job can be a tough task, especially if you have a disability. Michael Amerson works for Hodell-Natco Industries in Sparks filling boxes with supplies. He says working for the company feels like home. Hodell-Natco Industries is the first company to partner with United Cerebral Palsy of Nevada’s job training program on a larger scale. Out of about 90 people in the program, right now, only 20 of them have jobs and most are hired one at a time.
“It’s hard to place them because there is such a stigma,” said Kathy Roller of the UCPNV.
Oftentimes, however, with just a few minor accommodations, they can do the same things as everyone else. Three months later and these new hires got the company caught up on inventory. They really haven’t had any hiccups besides having to switch boxes because they were too heavy at first.
Management says you could not ask for better attitudes. Coming to work makes them happy.
“They’re far more capable than we anticipated and need less supervision than we thought,” said sales manger Kevin Hartman.
They work a couple hours a day at the warehouse and then spend the remainder of their day in training or at the organization’s thrift store in Sparks.
They’re building relationships and confidence everyday.
“They’re my buddies, my friends,” said Jack, one of the trainees.
They only work about 12 hours a week now but will keep training, hoping to move up in the company.
“If it wasn’t for UCPNV or my group home, I wouldn’t even know where I would be for the next 20 years,” said Trainee Michael Amerson.
Thanks to Hodell-Natco and the UCPNV, he now has something to look forward to.”