“To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities for  persons with severe disabilities.”
EEO/AA/M/F/D/V

THE DIRECTOR’S CORNER
By Phil L. Taylor, Executive Director

I have been working with the Board of Directors to introduce different jobs into our organization in order to help us become more diversified in our revenue streams and our work training opportunities.  Additionally, this effort has become even more important because we are having to replace funding that has been cut in our programs over the last two years by the state due to revenues short falls.  One of my efforts has been to work through our membership with the Americas-Group (AG) and Workability International (WI) to develop some joint projects that may result in some of these jobs being added to our program. Earlier this month our AG had its winter meeting during which our  second international project took on shape during a conference call with a WI member from the U.K.  They are already involved with some AG members on the first project dealing with manufacturing wheelchairs. I had previously met with them during our annual WI meeting last November. What is potentially in process is a sewing contract where the AG members would sew parts of a sweater together they have manufactured in the U.K.  These completed sweaters would be sold to the military.  This effort may lead to other similar projects with them and other AG members.

For a good many years we had our own upholstery shop at one time having three upholsters.  If we get involved in the sewing I would like to diversify our efforts with upholstering items for our retail sales.  In addition, I want to explore again the feasibility of mattress manufacturing to diversify some of this effort.  Another organization in Little Rock some ten or so years ago had a mattress manufacturing effort which was fairly successful.  They got out of it because it was not in keeping with their core competencies of sorting clothes, thrift stores and small sub-contracts.  They had grossed a couple of hundred thousand their last year they did this.  I believe with Act 1718 of 2001,  the legislation Ed Benton from UCP and I  helped get passed, gives us a competitive advantage in selling to the state (basically up to a 10% preference).  This can be a significant factor in selling this type of product and consequently us doing this type of work.  Naturally, we would have to grow into the mattress manufacturing in such a way to build the sewing department up to reaching its capacity.  Needless to say, all of these activities add to the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities along with the many training possibilities.

I have talked with our managers at the Blytheville Satellite about the possibility of doing the majority of the sewing in that facility.  They have plenty of room which will be necessary if we get into the mattress manufacturing business.  Another added benefit for that area is the availability of trained labor due to a local textile factory.  Starting these types of jobs will require a highly skilled staff.  Ideally, we can hire skilled personnel to begin with and thru attrition replace them with people with disabilities trained for that job.  Over a number of months this would give us more than half filled with our consumers plus it will create a great number of support activities that will not require as much skilled training.  In the long run it should add a great a amount of work to that area.  Hopefully, these types of jobs may lead to other related jobs that we may do in Paragould and Jonesboro.

We have been chosen as the AMERICAS-GROUP FEATURED MEMBER (www.americas-group.org) spot for either March or April.  If you get a chance log on and take a look.  This is the group we hope will help us to build other types of work opportunities in the future.  I hope this information will help you better understand some of the things going on around the organization.  Thanks for all of your hard work on behalf of our consumers.  

Welcome to Abilities Unlimited
Shannon Cook ACS Implementor
Sharon Croft  ACS Implementor
Adrian Mitchel ACS Implementor
Lucille Qualls ACS Implementor
Welcome Back :
Phyllis Bickerstaff ACS Implementor
Sarah Humphrey WAC/AD Asst. Supervisor
 
FEBRUARY SERVICE AWARDS
Several employees celebrated their first anniversary with Abilities Unlimited in February and received a one year certificate and pin. They are Amber Luster, Meloide Bumpers, Freda Shaker, Iva Ring, Billy Ivy, and Jeannie Hyde.
Stan Arnold, Lorene Gibson, and Tanika Truitt celebrated their five year anniversary in February and received a pin and plaque for their hard work and dedication. Thanks so much for all you do!
 

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
-James Barrie
 
 
 
 

 
 
Janet Gregory  3rd
Charles Simmons 3rd
Mike Chism  7th
Wayne Johnson 7th
Freda Shaker  7th
Erocktonya Smith 9th
Jeanne Bailey  11th       Meloide Bumpers 27th
Phyllis Bullard  11th                                    Robyn Jacobs 27th
Pat Sutton  18th                                                          Monique Smith        27th      Amber Hawthorne 20th            Delores Parker27th
Brenda Porter  21st             Dennis Raines 30th
Qunitina Bumpers 24th            Priscilla Simmons30th
Sarah Humphrey 24th
Linda Legvold  24th
Travis Woodruff 24th
 
 
           March Madness at the Unlimited
 
? As part of the March Madness Days we will be running spontaneous sales throughout the month!

? Now accepting spring/summer consignments. Stop by and drop your items off for processing!

? Check with us daily and watch the flashing marquis sign out front!!!

 
The following is how our featured spot should look on the Americas-Group website.

Abilities Unlimited of Jonesboro, Inc.
Offering 40 years of mission driven experience to NE Arkansas, with eight locations in four cities providing various work training, employment and business opportunities to hundreds of people with disabilities.

Website: abilitiesunlimitedjonesboro.com