Behind The Scenes at The Source: Dignity Job Opportunities Earns Income for Members of The Source
For well over a year, The Source’s Dignity Job Opportunities Program has been offered to their members to gain employment experience and a dignified income. With the guidance of Employment Specialist Jade Alexander, The Source partnered with B.E. Princess, Inc. a private and corporate aviation supplier, who provides on board supplies and accessories to aviation companies around the country. The partnership has allowed Source members to successfully assemble Sic Sac® Motion Sickness Bags and earn a dignified income while feeling productive and appreciated. The trade-marked industry icon that dates back to the early 1930’s contains 100 bags to a box. The Source clients are hired as local assemblers to work while offering an opportunity for the clients to earn an income for each box they fill. A room on the main campus of The Source is designated for one or more workers to sit in air-conditioned comfort, and along with a complimentary lunch, they are earning a dignified income with a weekly paycheck. After a year working on this project, Sic Sac® income and other miscellaneous income providing jobs have totaled to $40K that has been split among all the workers.
While evaluating the positive reactions from those who have availed themselves of this employment opportunity, The Source is currently in the process of expanding job opportunities for more members of The Source to earn an income by applying for new positions needed to be filled like Dignity Bus laundry attendants, pantry attendants, grounds keepers and vehicle detailers.
In doing so, jobs will allow Source members to earn a dignified income and reintegrate into society. There is documented evidence of the benefits to working and earning money beyond the financial benefits that we all know about. The skills learned on these jobs will make individuals more valuable to future employers. Earning money allows them to spend money and reinvest in our economy. Having a job can also improve the state of their mental health and it surrounds them with other like-minded individuals who can motivate them and help them in moving forward with their everyday life.
“We are a one-stop resource…all under one roof…. offering programs and services to the homeless and poor in our community,” explains Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source. “Our jobs, goals and hopes, are that our members take the skills we teach and use them to better their lives. We’re here to help people out of homelessness rather than to perpetuate it, and that is something we work at every day.”
The Source, a Christian Ministry Outreach Center, offers life-changing possibilities to residents in crisis; offer emergency hunger relief, clothing, counseling, support groups, hygiene items, showers, mail and telephone services, benefit referrals, cold weather refuge, and much more. For those in need, a visit to The Source for an assessment, followed by an ID badge for use of the facility, scheduled showers, and enjoying a free breakfast, lunch or dinner and any classes currently offered. For more information on The Source, contact Anthony Zorbaugh at 772-564-0202, Ext. 204 or visit www.Iamthesource.org . The Source is located at 1015 Commerce Avenue in Vero Beach.
For more information: Beverly S. Paris 772-234-4412/[email protected].
