Everyone needs a break every now and then.

James Mornout, 37, of Warsaw, is no different. The Cardinal Center client, who is mentally challenged, has been an employee of Othy Inc. for almost four years.

According to Bill Hough, unit manager at Othy, Mornout and the medical instrument manufacturer have benefited from Mornout's employment, so participating in the Cardinal Center program is a win-win situation for everyone.

"James is the first placement we've had. He came to work for us in December 1995," Hough said. "It was a little awkward at first and it took some adjustments on our and James' part.

"But we've seen a huge change in James. He was very reserved and shy when he first started here, but now he's very outgoing," he added. "He's really been an inspiration for the other employees, in seeing the improvement he's made."

"I was a little nervous at first," said Mornout, who performs various janitorial and maintenance tasks. "But I really like it here now. And I really like the people I work with."

And the other employees enjoy having James as a colleague as well, Hough said.

"All the employees pitch in for a birthday party for James every year," he said. "We have a party for him and then take him to his favorite restaurant - Bob Evans."

According to Randy Hall, corporate vice president of Cardinal Center, placing clients in private sector jobs helps businesses by providing an additional pool of labor to draw from, and it helps the clients become self-supporting.

"There are several benefits for everyone involved. With the unemployment rate as low as it is in the county, the employers need to tap into all available labor pools," he said. "While people with disabilities may need a little more training than other employees, they can work well when they get that training.

"Getting out into the labor market benefits the individuals with handicaps in that it gives them more self-esteem and self-reliance," Hall added.

He said Cardinal Center works with employers in getting their clients acclimated to the work environment and providing the job training skills they'll need to be successful.

The center is always looking for more employers to work with in making job placements, Hall added.

"We have 22 people right now on the waiting list that we are actively seeking placements for," he said.

Hough agrees with the benefits area employers can derive from participating in the Cardinal Center's job placement program.

"Othy benefits from having James here with us," Hough added. "It's an opportunity for us to give back to the community. But James is a benefit himself because he's a morale booster. The guys on the floor like having James down there with them. He brings a lot of smiles on a lot of faces."

One particular employee, Phillip Danner, has taken Mornout under his wing, serving as a mentor.

"Phil early on became the person that James could go to - someone who could provide some guidance and let James know what the boundaries are," Hough said. "Phil's been great with James that way."

Danner said working with Mornout the past four years has left him with a sense of pride in the accomplishments of a fellow worker - and a friend.

"James really impresses me with how well he gets along with everyone. It's been very rewarding to see how much James has grown since he's been here," he said. "And he's also become a real good friend." [[In-content Ad]]