National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), held in October, raises awareness of disability employment issues. It’s also a time to reflect upon and recognize the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities. During this month, at PRIDE Industries, we want people to take away that people of all abilities should be included in a company’s hiring strategy. With this in mind, it’s time to shift old workforce paradigms and broaden accepted views on what is talent and who can contribute to a vibrant workplace.
Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries, contributed an open forum article in the San Francisco Chronicle in which he said that by broadening the accepted view of talent, we can create access for millions of unemployed workers who want to contribute. He stresses that these enthusiastic, reliable employees are individuals with disabilities who just need training to fulfill the demand.
- View the article (10/25/2021)
Join News 93.1 KFBK’s Cristina Mendonsa as she talks with CEO Jeff Dern from PRIDE Industries and learn more about their efforts to create jobs for people with disabilities.
Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries, discussed that many companies have discovered a new paradigm and an often-overlooked demographic filled with diverse talent.
- Read article (10/7/2021)
Jason Marks of KCRA3 News reports on Thunder Valley Casino’s partnership with PRIDE Industries to provide employment for 30 workers with developmental disabilities in the laundry facilities. The program has been so successful that Joel Moore, vice president of hotel operations, says the casino is looking to add employees in other areas.
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, CBS8 News reporter Danamarie McNicholl-Carter interviewed Brandon Schinka, an employee at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance who found his job at the restaurant with help from PRIDE Industries. The zoo has hired many employees through PRIDE Industries in retail, maintenance, and reservations.
SeaWorld San Diego also has had a strong relationship with PRIDE Industries for over 30 years, hiring people with disabilities throughout their park.
- Read article (10/28/2021)
Alani Letang, anchor/reporter for Monterey’s KSBW8 Action News, details the work done by PRIDE Industries by employing people with disabilities all year long. She interviews several PRIDE Industries employees at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, who credit PRIDE Industries with giving them the skills and a sense of belonging by being able to go beyond their disabilities to become valuable employees.
Ariel Roblin, President & General Manager of KCRA3 Sacramento, in this editorial discusses the issues facing employers during the severe labor shortage. She suggests that employers need to rethink how they adapt work environments to expand their workforce, including considering individuals with a disability. Featured during this editorial is a short history of PRIDE Industries and the expansive services they provide.
- View the video (10/23/2021)
PRIDE Industries’ Brian Garbark was featured on New 8 in SD discussing Viejas Casino and Resort, a 10 year business partner of PRIDE Industries and employs more than 20 people with disabilities.
“People just need an opportunity so partnering with PRIDE Industries does just that,” said Alejandro Guardado, Vice President of Hotel Operations.
- View the video (10/21/2021)
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Matt Anderson, Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions, appeared on KRONon, San Francisco Bay Area’s only 24/7 local digital news platform, to raise awareness of disability employment issues, including a discussion of the I AM ABLE job helpline.
Metro Chamber CEO Amanda Blackwood presented Business Excellence with PRIDE Industries. Additionally, PRIDE Industries’ Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer, and VP Tony Lopez joined Amanda, discussing the mission, values, and social impact of PRIDE Industries.
- View on Facebook (10/19/2021)
Kitty O’Neal of Sacramento’s News 93.1 KFBK was joined by Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer with PRIDE Industries, to discuss PRIDE Industries’ new I AM ABLE job helpline for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Specifically, the free, California-based helpline connects people in the state to support resources, job training, and employment opportunities.
- Listen to interview (10/18/2021)
Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer with PRIDE Industries, was interviewed on San Diego’s CBS8 to discuss PRIDE Industries’ new I AM ABLE job helpline. Additionally, she discussed the wide variety of services provided for potential employees, as well as business looking to be inclusive.
Leah Burdick & Matt Anderson interviewed on OpenLine Radio (10/16/2021)
LA OpenLine host Tami Heidi interviewed Leah Burdick, PRIDE Industries’ Chief Growth Officer and PRIDE Industries’ Matt Anderson, Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions about the importance National Disability Employment Awareness Month on a radio broadcast that aired October 16 and 17.
Matt Anderson, Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions, spoke with Hackie Reitman, M.D. on a segment of “Exploring Different Brains.” During this interview, Matt discussed the benefits of hiring differently abled employees. Markedly, these benefits can include a huge impact on retention, attendance, and the employee’s capabilities.
Employment Services Available for the Disabled - KPIX 5 | CBS San Francisco (10/13/2021)
KPIX 5’s Len Kiese asks Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer with PRIDE Industries, about the services they provide to people with disabilities. They featured the I AM ABLE helpline, as well as the many other services provided for people who experience workforce barriers, including those with disabilities, veterans, foster youth, and trafficking survivors.
Don Nelson, Vice President of Government Facilities Services, joined Mark Ross on El Paso’s ABC-7 at Four to discuss PRIDE Industries’ employees with disabilities at Fort Bliss. Don also discussed the different opportunities around El Paso for training and employment.
Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer with PRIDE Industries, joined Richard Sharp on Fox 40 News. During her interview, Leah shared the company’s story, including the announcement of the I AM ABLE job helpline. This important resource serves people with disabilities as well as military veterans, former foster youth, and trafficking survivors.
“Our goal is to create 100,000 jobs for people with disabilities. One in five Americans has a disability, and two-thirds of working-age Americans with disabilities are unemployed. As the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, we believe that people of all abilities should have equal access to achieve their employment goals. And that belief shapes everything we are as a company. We are bound by a set of core values and a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
– Leah Burdick, PRIDE Industries’ Chief Growth Officer
- View interview (10/12/2021)
Leah Burdick, PRIDE Industries’ Chief Growth Officer, was interviewed on Good Day Sacramento about the organization’s new job helpline dedicated to serving people with disabilities as well as military veterans, former foster youth, and trafficking survivors. Call (844) I-AM-ABLE or (844) 426-2253 or visit IAmAbleHelpline.com.
PRIDE Industries’ Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions, Matt Anderson, joins the program to discuss National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Congress declared this month in 1988 to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities as well as to pay tribute to the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities.
- Listen to Podcast (10/10/2021)
Sacramento's Cody Robinson Interviews Leah Burdick - KNCI Radio - (10/7/2021)
Cody Robinson was joined by Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer with PRIDE Industries, in a public affairs programming interview to discuss October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the work of PRIDE Industries.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! TAGCarts is proud to partner with PRIDE Industries & U.S. Department of Labor to build a more inclusive workforce, one job at a time.
- View on LinkedIn (10/4/2021)
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the perfect time to educate and also celebrate the many contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
KCBS news anchor Liz Saint John in Los Angeles spoke with Leah Burdick, PRIDE Industries’ Chief Growth Officer.
Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer and Brian Garbark, Director of Rehab Operations at PRIDE Industries, discuss the benefits of a not only diverse, but also inclusive, workforce in the podcast below:
In 2019, Thunder Valley formed a partnership with PRIDE Industries‘ staffing services to hire multiple work teams of individuals with developmental disabilities to staff its laundry facilities.
“PRIDE’s partnership and commitment help Thunder Valley achieve our goals with quality results while providing opportunities and training for people with developmental disabilities in our community. This month, and always, we celebrate and thank these dedicated individuals who excel in their roles.”
–Dawn Clayton, General Manager of Thunder Valley Casino Resorts
- Listen to full podcast (9/30/2021)
About PRIDE Industries
PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance, custodial, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment, and staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day.
PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.
