(WXYZ) — A local nonprofit is partnering with businesses in order to help give people with disabilities job opportunities. It's something New Horizons says is a win-win for everyone involved.
New Horizons, which has been around for 54 years, helps people with disabilities obtain employment and job training so they can live more independent lives. Shelving Inc. is one of about 130 businesses New Horizons works with throughout southeast Michigan.
Dawn Caracallo with New Horizons says the opportunity helps the people they work with and it benefits the companies taking part.
"Not only by being more inclusive and diverse, but the way it affects the culture of the organization," she says. "It's such a positive vibe and it really makes others stand out and want to do better as well, so it's very inspiring. The ultimate goal is to be considered for competitive employment."
Joe Schodowski is the president and CEO. Three people who've been placed by New Horizons have been working at Shelving Inc. on a rotation for about a year. Schodowski says it's been such a great experience, he wants to have them branch out into other positions at his business.
"At this point, we're at tip of the iceberg with New Horizons," he says. "We're just tapping into their potential."
By the end of June 2018, New Horizons had placed 638 people into competitive employment. If you're a business looking to work with them, go to: https://www.newhorizonsrehab.org/
