Companies give back by hiring

In December, it's common for businesses to give back to the community in various ways from toy collections to monetary donations. Winter holidays make people want to help others, but there's a way to give back to the community throughout the year many businesses haven't considered.

Various Southwest Florida organizations assist disabled adults with employment. Community Haven in Sarasota and Vocational Rehabilitation, part of the Florida Department of Education, are two groups that help those individuals earn a paycheck.

Established in 1954, Community Haven sits on 32 acres and serves more than 700 children, teens and adults with physical, developmental, metal health, learning and/or multiple disabilities. Among other activities, participants in the program get the opportunity to do work for companies like Sun Hydraulics, Pactek and U-Flex.

According to John Walsh with Sun Hydraulics, the partnership is beneficial to both parties. Sun Hydraulics picks up the pieces Haven adults complete once a day. The employees who visit the Haven look forward to the cheery greetings they receive.

“They give us good product, they give it to us when we need it, and they're willing to do whatever we like them to do,” says Walsh. “They're happy and they're just satisfied that we're willing to help with them, and they're helping us out, too.”

[Click here for a video on why it's important for businesses to consider using disabled workers]

Community Haven Board Chairman Jeffrey Woodin told the Business Review there are other ways to help disabled individuals besides employment.

“There's a lot of things that businesses can be doing to help out these organizations that don't require cash out of pocket,” Woodin tells the Business Review. “The issue with time? There's always time. Whether it's just spending half an hour here on campus helping out, it's just something they really need to consider doing more of.”
Michele Guilford, supervisor at Vocational Rehabilitation in Sarasota, says she landed in vocational rehabilitation after realizing those with disabilities are present in the community but they are often kept behind the scenes.

“One of my goals was, well, people need to work, everyone has the right to work. Why shouldn't someone with a significant head injury, a back problem, mental retardation, why shouldn't they be able to work?” says Guilford. “I just feel it's important not only for the community but the person's own self-esteem and quality of life.”

To contact Vocational Rehabilitation call (850) 245-3399 or visit RehabWorks.org.

To contact Community Haven call (941) 355-8808 or visit communityhaven.com.