By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
JASPER, Tenn. — In a time when finding a job is tough, it must seem nearly impossible to those with physical or mental challenges.
That’s where Caring Inc. comes in.
The organization started as a grass-roots effort in Marion County in 1997 to serve people with disabilities. It trains and provides job placement in Marion and neighboring counties for workers who are referred by the state’s vocational rehabilitation office.
Director June Grimes said job placement has been difficult recently, but she’s proud of the work her group is doing.
“Employment has not been easy, but Caring Inc. is holding our own,” she said. “Given the environment and the state of the economy, we think we’ve done an amazing job.”
Lodge Manufacturing plant manager Michael Whitfield said Caring Inc. provides much-needed training.
“Without Caring Inc., there would be a lot of people that don’t have the hope that they have right now,” Mr. Whitfield said. “They’ve got somewhere to go to be trained so they can learn how to hold on to a job.”
DISABILITY FACTS* One in five Americans has a disability.* In a 2004 Harris survey, two of three adults with a disability don’t work, but 63 percent would prefer to have a job.* Employers report they want to hire workers with disabilities but don’t know where to recruit them.* Vocational rehabilitation matches more than 200,000 Americans with disabilities with employers nationwide each year through groups such as Caring Inc.Sources: National Organization on Disability, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Education
Ms. Grimes said another part of her job is educating employers about the benefits of hiring her trainees.
“There are tax incentives available for hiring these people,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be a big company, either. The incentives apply to small businesses, as well.”
David Silverblatt, president of Royal Remanufacturing Inc., has seen drastic changes in one worker he hired from Caring Inc. three years ago.
“He wouldn’t even look at you,” he said. “He would whisper when he’d talk to you. Now, he walks with his head up. He’s proud that he has a job. You can just see the change in him becoming a contributing member of society.”
Ms. Grimes said her organization helps people of all ages and types of disabilities who qualify for vocational rehabilitation through the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
“Our people need to be needed,” she said. “They need to feel good. Their lives are turned around just by getting employment. I can’t begin to measure what it’s done for their families.”
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Program helps mentally ill in jail