Richland Newhope Industries Honors Local Businesses and Employees

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OCT. 27, 2016
Richland Newhope Industries honors local businesses and employees

(Mansfield, OH) - Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. (RNI) is saluting 150 area employers during Disability Employment Awareness Month. Businesses that employ individuals with developmental disabilities from Richland Newhope’s adult services program and those companies that contract with RNI were recognized during the annual Employer Recognition Breakfast held Thurs., Oct. 27, 2016, at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield. The event attracted nearly 300 people.

For the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2016, a total of 264 individuals earned paychecks with wages totaling $560,909. Community Services also provided employment services to more than 300 individuals who are interested in obtaining employment in the community. These services include job placement, Project SEARCH, job tryouts and assessments, driver’s permit training,
employability classes, and the Summer Training Employment Program (STEP). STEP is a five-week paid summer work program for youth who are transitioning into the world of employment. Twelve students and three employers participated in the program this past summer.

In December 2016, Element of Art Studio/Gallery in downtown Mansfield will be celebrating its seventh anniversary. It currently has more than 80 contracted artists who create, display, and sell their unique beautiful art pieces at the gallery. The City Garden Café opened in January of 2014 on the 3rd floor of the Mansfield Municipal Building. A partnership between the City of Mansfield and Richland Newhope Industries, the City Garden Café provides training opportunities in food service for its employees.

OhioHealth-Mansfield Hospital has been named the 2016 Community Employer of the Year. For the past 11 years, OhioHealth has been a host site for Project SEARCH – a nine month program designed to give students and adults with disabilities work experience. Project SEARCH is a collaboration between Richland Newhope, Pioneer Career and Technology Center, and
OhioHealth. Since it began, 38 Project SEARCH participants have been hired directly by OhioHealth. The first participant hired by the hospital 11 years ago remains employed there. OhioHealth – Mansfield has been a committed partner that has consistently shown its dedication to hire and maintain in employment people with disabilities.

Therm-O-Disc is the 2016 “Industrial Employer of the Year.” A valued customer since 1976, Therm-O-Disc has contracted with RNI over the years on various subcontract jobs, pallet assembly, and microfilm services. The company currently receives monthly document scanning services. In August 2015, Therm-O-Disc offered an opportunity for an enclave within its facility where a crew of four disassemble/scrap parts daily. This relationship has enabled RNI to continue to expand its employment for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The community-based 2016 Employee of the Year is Karen Carter of Mansfield. Carter has been employed at McDonald’s since April 2014. She also works at Vector Security. Carter is considered a dedicated employee who usually shows up to work early. When she’s not at one of her jobs, Carter enjoys spending time with her family, which includes three daughters and three
grandchildren. She also likes making jewelry and ceramics, attending Cleveland Indians games, and watching football.

Richland Newhope Industries’ facility-based 2016 Employees of the Year are Louie Bauer and Andy Gibson, both of Mansfield. Bauer does sub-contracting work for companies such as MTD, Sky Box, and Stoneridge at RNI’s 4th St. facility. He also works at RNI’s enclave at Thermo-ODisc, scrapping and sorting thermostat parts. Described as a hard worker who always has a smile
on his face, Bauer has not missed a day of work since he started at Therm-O-Disc more than a year ago. When he’s not working, he enjoys participating in Special Olympics basketball, softball, and volleyball as well as fishing and playing video games.

Gibson is recognized for his excellent work ethic at RNI’s woodshop on W. Longview Ave. He has a positive attitude, sets personal goals, rarely misses work, and often comes in early and stays late to complete tasks. In his spare time, Gibson enjoys computer games, going to church, and participating in Special Olympics.

The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “#InclusionWorks.” In addition to the breakfast, five billboards were displayed throughout the Mansfield area during October and public service announcements ran on four local radio stations.

Established in 1963, the non-profit Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. provides services and supports for community employment, industrial services at three production sites, personal and social services, recreational services, and options for seniors. Richland Newhope (Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities) supports more than 1,800 individuals through early intervention, preschool, adult, residential, therapy, transportation, and other family support programs.

For more information, contact Amanda South, Director of Adult Services, at 419-774-4412 or Jane Imbody, Director of Community Relations, at 419-774-4215. Additional photos of the Employees of the Year are available upon request.

2016 RNI Billboard and National Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster