Some individuals are born with disabilities.

Others are disabled because of a debilitating disease or accident. Yet these individuals are capable of working, though they may lack the skills needed to find the right job.

Cardinal Center Inc., a supported employment service provider, helps disabled people find jobs. Through the service, Cardinal Center has helped many people find employment at Wildman Uniform and Linen - and Wildman is more than happy to have them.

According to Wildman Uniform general manager Josh Wildman, the company has hired individuals through the service for more than five years. "We've had three to as many as six or seven," he said. Currently, they have five such employees.

He said the company is on a major growth plan and the supported employment individuals work well at the company. "It's not going to be a detriment to our company to have them in," he said. In fact, he said, it is a benefit. "Everybody really appreciates them being here and their work ethic."

While Wildman Uniform helps accommodate employees with special needs, Wildman said, those employees are still expected to meet set standards and they usually do. He said some of the employees, like Heather Hamilton, often exceed the expected rate.

"Wildman Uniform has been so accommodating in helping people with disabilities be so successful and give back to the community with their job," said Lisa Watkins, Cardinal Center employment services manager. Those hired by Wildman Uniform, she said, become part of the company team.

Wildman Uniform plant manager Todd Deaton said, "If all my workers would have the attitude of Cardinal Center people ... I would be so better off."

He said their work is consistent. Hamilton, he said, has been with the company for almost a year and has never been late or missed a day of work.

Watkins said the supported employees are happy to work for Wildman Uniform. "These folks," she said, "are just as much a part of the Wildman Uniform team as Todd, (assistant plant manager) Scott (Coffman) or Josh."

Before Wildman Uniform began hiring individuals through the supported employment program, Wildman said, Deaton was already hiring individuals with disabilities.

"He has a place in his heart for people," said Watkins. He has been a "great asset" to the program, she said, because of his ability to see each person as an asset and not as their disability.

"I really appreciate Wildman giving people an opportunity to see people's dreams come true through employment," said Watkins. "... I don't think we'll realize what it means to some of these folks."

Wildman said having them work at Wildman Uniform is a big benefit to the company.

"They really are a part of our company," said Deaton.

Watkins said it's all "about real jobs for real money in the real world. And that's what people want." Just because a person is disabled, she said, doesn't mean they want to just be given handouts. They want to have to meet expectations. They want to be successful.

"I'm sure there's other businesses in the community that could use them," said Wildman. He said Wildman Uniform would be more than happy to talk to other businesses about the supported employment services program and their employees. "We'll give them our honest opinion," he said.

More than 40 employers in Kosciusko County and surrounding counties work with Cardinal Center to hire people with disabilities. Giving a person with a disability a chance to work means more than a paycheck. It decreases a person's need for public assistance, increases their sense of self-worth and educates the community that people with disabilities can be productive and contributing members of the community.

Once a job has been developed for a person with a disability, a trained Cardinal Center employee provides ongoing support to both the employer and the employee until all parties are satisfied. This is done at no cost to the employer. Support includes training co-workers about a person's disability or helping an employer make reasonable accommodations that will allow a person to work.

Supported employment is funded mostly through Vocational Rehabilitation, a federal program. There is no charge to the employee or employer.

With more than 40 employers involved in the employment service, Watkins said, "This community has embraced supported employment."

Currently, Watkins said, they have more than 25 individuals seeking employment and 50 people employed through supported employment. Since beginning the service in 1987, she said they have helped hundreds find employment. [[In-content Ad]]