Employment Services

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it evident that a clean and sanitary environment is essential to a safe and healthy workplace. Now more than ever, the two million workers in the U.S. custodial industry are shouldering a critical responsibility.

For over 15 years, PRIDE Industries has provided custodial and environmental services to private, public, and military customers. Our dedicated employees, including thousands with disabilities, are responsible for our success.

Martha Sanchez, a custodian in Monterey, California, exemplifies PRIDE Industries’ standards of excellence. Since 2017, she’s worked hard to keep the Defense Language Institute (DLIFLC) sparkling clean. Located at the Presidio of Monterey, the Institute is part of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, and is one of the top U.S. schools for foreign language instruction. It provides education in more than a dozen languages to U.S. Armed Forces members.

Martha waxes floors, cleans rooms and offices, shampoos carpets, and empties trash receptacles. By contributing to the facility’s health and safety, she supports our nation’s military service members as they train to carry out crucial communications across the world.

For Martha, working at the Institute is more than a job. She takes pride “in keeping our customers happy, adhering to stringent cleaning standards, and sharing the special feeling of teamwork.” As she says: “I continually receive positive feedback from the customers after I finish cleaning their office or work areas.” Indeed, Martha has received several compliments from the Institute’s staff for her adroit cleaning and friendly attitude.

Martha credits PRIDE Industries’ personalized training and job coaching for helping her become the valuable employee she is today.

“My job coaches have trained me to become an expert in my field,” explained Martha. “My job means everything to me! It even motivated me to get my driver’s license to obtain reliable transportation. My goal is to advance in my career and to train for a leadership position. As an essential worker, I feel good about keeping our military members safe during the pandemic.”

“We all appreciate Martha’s reliability and her can-do attitude,” said Janitorial Supervisor Rita McKim. “She always goes above and beyond.”

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“My job means everything to me! It even motivated me to get my driver’s license to obtain reliable transportation. ”

Companies have shared more than 1,400+ actions that they are taking to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Coalition expands reach and impact into the business community

Roseville, Calif. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRIDE Industries joins a growing coalition pledging to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. One of nearly 2,000 CEOs that have come together for CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, Jeff Dern is committing himself and PRIDE Industries to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

By signing on to this commitment, PRIDE Industries pledges to take action to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion. The collective of nearly 2,000 signatories has already shared more than 1,400+ best-known actions, exchanging tangible learning opportunities and creating collaborative conversations via the initiative’s unified hub, CEOAction.com.

“Diversity and inclusion are difficult issues to navigate, but if we avoid constructive conversation about our differences, communication deteriorates and productivity suffers,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries. “As a social enterprise committed to normalizing workplace inclusion, we are proud to join other industry leaders in cultivating a work environment where employees can openly address challenges, present opportunities, and share perspectives.”

Nearly 60 percent of PRIDE Industries’ workforce has a disclosed disability. As a social enterprise, the company provides facilities management; manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain services to fuel its mission of creating employment for people with disabilities. PRIDE Industries also leverages its 55 years’ experience in inclusion success to provide staffing, recruiting, and inclusive workplace training certification for individuals and companies.

CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is cultivating a new type of ecosystem centered around collaboration and sharing. The actions, available via CEOAction.com, showcase real-life examples of open and transparent conversations to cultivate more diverse and inclusive workplace environments. The addition of new signatories expands the impact of this work beyond the office to communities and industries.

The CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is led by a steering committee of CEOs and leaders from Accenture, BCG, Deloitte US, The Executive Leadership Council, EY, General Atlantic, KPMG, New York Life, Procter & Gamble, and PwC. The coalition represents 85 industries, all 50 U.S. States, and millions of employees globally.

About CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™

CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Bringing together nearly 2,000 CEOs of America’s leading organizations, the commitment outlines actions that participating companies pledge to take to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, employees feel comfortable and encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion, and where best known—and unsuccessful—actions can be shared across organizations. Learn more at CEOAction.com and connect with us on Twitter: @CEOAction.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, 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. Learn more.

PRIDE's coaching, training, and placement programs

If you're struggling to maintain a highly motivated workforce or fill important roles, get in touch. We provide coaching, training, and other placement services to meet your company's employment needs, all while working with you to create an inclusive workplace.

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Media Contact

Kat Maudru

(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

In 1999, when Evan Goss was 18, he sensed his future would no longer include college. He decided to serve his country instead and joined the U.S. Air Force.

A month after graduating high school, he was on a plane bound for San Antonio, Texas and bootcamp. Evan couldn’t have known that his military career would last over two decades or that he would earn several awards while traversing the Middle East.

“Probably the most memorable award was the first achievement medal I earned,” Evan says. “It was right after 9/11 and the day before my first wedding anniversary. I was sent to Qatar, where we built a base from the ground up. Al Udeid, it would be called. It wound up supporting over 10,000 people and today is considered the hub for the U.S. military in the Middle East.”

Four Medals, Eight Deployments, and Back on American Soil

And that was just the beginning. Evan would serve eight deployments in support of several operations, including Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel. Between 2001 and 2018, he would rise up the ranks—from airman to staff sergeant, then technical sergeant to master sergeant. All told, his awards would include the Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the Air Force Commendation Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal (with two oak leaf clusters). He would be stationed and deployed throughout the U.S. and the Middle East, with his final assignment landing him at Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB).

“My last assignment, in 2017, had me stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base,” says Evan. “When I first got there, I worked in operations with General Manager Jose Perez from PRIDE Industries. A little over a year later, after I was deployed to Kuwait for six months, I came back and worked with the Engineering Department, where Program Integrator Beth Farm told me how much PRIDE Industries could use me.”

“Integrity First.” Evan Brings the Air Force’s Values to His Job at PRIDE Industries

Like the transition from high school into the military, Evan’s transition out of the military and into employment with PRIDE Industries moved fast.

“I went straight into the position as a building information and geographic systems (BIM/GIS) manager,” said Evan, noting a key difference he’d observed between PRIDE Industries and other military contractors he’d encountered over the years. “With other contractors I’d dealt with, it was always about getting more money from our government—which bothered me. But PRIDE Industries isn’t like that. It’s a company with a good moral standing.”

As “Integrity First” is the first of the Air Force’s core values, it makes sense that a good moral standing would resonate with Evan. So do the Air Force’s other two core values: “Service Before Self” and “Excellence in All We Do.” In fact, according to LAAFB leadership, Evan has brought these values into all aspects of his work with PRIDE Industries—going above and beyond to serve both customers and fellow employees.

“When Evan first found out that the CADD digital as-built system was not up to industry standard, he corrected it himself,” said Chris Paek, PRIDE Industries’ General Manager at LAAFB. “He did that even though doing so was not part of the contract.”

And Evan’s hands-on approach didn’t stop there. He also conducted all of the physical labor work of scanning necessary drawings, including creating accommodations for his employees with disabilities.

And all of this was in addition to Evan’s numerous other achievements that first year, which included overseeing two technical programs simultaneously.

Eighteen-year-old Evan’s decision to join the U.S. Air Force was a great gain for them and now is ours.

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At PRIDE Industries, U.S. veterans will find a team that welcomes and supports them as they develop their future careers.

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“With other contractors I’d dealt with, it was always about getting more money from our government—which bothered me. But PRIDE Industries isn’t like that. It’s a company with a good moral standing.”

“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be in the U.S. Army,” says James Stender, Sergeant First Class, retired.

Like James, plenty of children think about joining the military when they grow up. However, upon becoming adults, less than one-half of one percent of the U.S. population enlists. Yet, in 1967, a young James did just that.

First stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, he began an enduring military career that would see him all the way from the rank of Private to Sergeant First Class. When he got started at Fort Bliss, James trained on a vehicle that he would often use in his later career: The history-making M42 Duster—a twin 40mm gun tank known for its rapid, tremendous firepower.

The “Duster” Tank—Not Just Fearsome, but also Loud

“My unit was stationed in Okinawa,” says James. “The minute Russian planes made their way into our airspace, we’d go on alert and get ready to encounter them if needed. Having the batteries ready would normally be enough to deter them, but they were always trying to see how far they could get without a response—shooting at them was always an option, though it was a last resort. We also continually practiced shooting at drones. At 240 rounds per minute, it didn’t take long to down one.”

So powerful were the Dusters that the Viet Cong called them “Fire Dragons”—largely, according to ArmyHistory.org, “because their high volume of fire and tracer ammunition gave the appearance of a dragon’s breath.” And not only were they a fearsome sight, but they were also loud.

“They had an open turret,” says James. “So, we were right alongside the guns.”

It was in this vehicle, repeatedly exposed to the sound of gunfire, where James developed hearing loss. Over time, this injury would result in a permanent hearing disability, but that wouldn’t stop him from continuing to serve. James continued his military career after his time in Japan. Returning to Fort Ord in the United States, he served as a drill sergeant and a training Noncommissioned Officer in Charge until, amid base closures and cutbacks, he retired from the military in 1992. As a civilian, he worked as the manager of a body shop and at a Chevrolet dealership until the economic downturn of 2008 prompted layoffs, and he found himself unemployed.

After Hearing Loss, Serendipity Brings James to PRIDE Industries

“It was serendipitous timing,” says James. “While job hunting, I saw a sign for PRIDE Industries. I just walked in and handed the receptionist my résumé. It turned out they needed someone with managerial skills, so I was interviewed and hired on the spot.”

On November 17, 2010, James was hired as a rehabilitation specialist working in our Fairfield, Calif. location. Since then, he has been promoted three times and is now the custodial supervisor for the entire U.S. Forestry contract at Mare Island in Vallejo, Calif.

A Personable Leader

Leading by example, James has proven to his team that people of all abilities can progress in the workforce through perseverance, commitment, respect, and reliability. Not only is his work ethic impeccable, but he is also a personable leader—taking the time to learn each of his team member’s strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, James strives to be a helpful mentor to the people who report to him, which recently led to the promotion of one of his mentees.

Years have passed since James Stender, the boy, first knew he wanted to be in the U.S. Army. Time has sped along since his days as a young man alongside the Duster’s guns. And, since 2010, we have been honored to have him on our team.

Are you a veteran?

At PRIDE Industries, U.S. veterans will find a team that welcomes and supports them as they develop their future careers.

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“While job hunting, I saw a sign for PRIDE Industries. I just walked in and handed the receptionist my résumé.”

“For 55 years, PRIDE Industries has provided business excellence with a social impact,” says Jeff Dern, President & Chief Executive Officer, of this pioneering social enterprise. “We provide competitive business services while pursuing our mission to create employment for people with disabilities.”

At the heart of PRIDE Industries’ 6,000 team members are 3,100 with disclosed disabilities. With National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, the company is launching a helpline and an awareness campaign to pursue their goal of creating 100,000 jobs for people with disabilities.

“Annually in October, the Department of Labor promotes NDEAM to educate the public about disability employment issues and to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities. At PRIDE Industries, we take that concept even further,” says Leah Burdick, Chief Growth Officer. “Through print and online media, we strive to recognize our business partners for hiring people with disabilities or supporting an inclusive workforce.”

“NDEAM is important to us because one of our goals is to normalize workplace inclusion.”
– Jeff Dern, PRIDE Industries President & Chief Executive Officer

PRIDE Industries has launched the most comprehensive helpline of its kind. By dialing 844-I-AM-ABLE, people with disabilities can connect to helpful resources, job training, and employment opportunities. This helpline will be heavily promoted in California during NDEAM, with plans to expand nationally.

PRIDE Industries has created employment for thousands of people in jobs throughout this region over decades and encourages all employers to inspire other companies to include people with disabilities in their workplaces. “NDEAM is important to us because one of our goals is to normalize workplace inclusion,” explains Dern. “We do that all year, but this month is devoted to educate employers on why they should include people with disabilities when hiring.”

PRIDE Industries will continue its constant efforts to promote the employment and inclusion of people with disabilities, proving every day that their model for business excellence has a place for all abilities.

This article was originally published in Comstock’s Magazine in October 2021.

Need employment placement support?

Contact our I AM ABLE Helpline to discuss your options.

Media Contact

Kat Maudru

(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize the challenges that children and youth in foster care face, along with roles of foster parents. Each year, the 25,000 youth who age out of the foster care system continue to face daunting challenges. Many reach their 18 birthdays alone, under-skilled, and unprepared for independent adult life. PRIDE Industries is passionate about supporting youth transitioning out of foster care.

PRIDE’s Youth Services Program helps youth transitioning out of foster care develop a path to employment while locating resources to improve their lives. The program is funded by generous donations and grants to PRIDE’s Development and Donor Services. Charmaine has been a participant in the Youth Services Program since 2017; she has graciously shared her experiences with us.

Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care

Charmaine is a young woman who has displayed incredible resilience throughout her life. At a young age, she entered foster care and stayed until she aged out at 18 as a young adult. With no financial and emotional support, Charmaine became homeless. She lived in her car until it was towed, occasionally sleeping on friends’ couches. Facing an arrest warrant for missing a court date, she was unable to get a job.

Seeking a fresh start, Charmaine relocated to Sacramento and sought help from Grace City, a youth support center, in 2017. They provided her with a Youth Advocate to help connect her with resources, including a referral to PRIDE Industries’ Youth Services Program, which offers support and job assistance to teenagers transitioning out of foster care.

PRIDE Job Developer/Transitional Coordinator, Danielle Anderson, began meeting with Charmaine once a week. PRIDE’s Job Developers act as mentors to participants in the Youth Services Program, helping them learn life skills while providing ongoing support.

Overcoming Common “Aging Out” Obstacles

One of the first things Charmaine and her mentor did was talk through the challenges she was facing, all of which are common issues for youth aging out of the foster care system.

“Charmaine was frustrated and stressed due to the multiple major obstacles that she faced, including the lack of a job, housing, and transportation,” said Danielle. “By helping her to focus on overcoming one challenge at a time, Charmaine started to become more confident that she could move ahead, especially now that she had a support team.”

To transition Charmaine into her job search, Danielle helped her create a resume, cover letters, and fill out multiple job applications. Despite their hard work, they could not find her a position. Danielle then connected Charmaine with a paid internship at Grace City in January 2018 to perform receptionist duties. With her own experience in the foster care system, Charmaine was able to connect well with other at-risk youth, working a total of 305 hours. After her internship ended, Charmaine has continued to give back by volunteering at the center.

“From the beginning of her internship, it was incredible how Charmaine’s drive and self-confidence grew,” said Danielle.

With a new source of income, Charmaine was able to start purchasing items for her new apartment. PRIDE Industries’ support also included providing her with funds to obtain a life-scan background check, bus passes, and bedding. Once she became of age, Danielle helped her sign up for General Assistance.

Deciding to take a significant new step after her internship ended, Charmaine signed up for Guard Card courses (licensed by the CA Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) to become a Security Guard. With financial support from the CA Department of Rehabilitation, she attended and passed the required courses and became a licensed Security Guard in July 2018.

Success After Aging Out

Unfortunately, the job search continued to remain elusive because of Charmaine’s outstanding warrant. To finally overcome this significant obstacle, she decided that it was time to report to the court. Once she was released from serving time, Charmaine immediately called Danielle for help. “I felt like I hit rock bottom,” said Charmaine.

Danielle and Charmaine developed a plan to get her back on track. This included signing up for classes to help get her record expunged and communicating with her probation officer. Their persistence paid off. Soon, Charmaine had two interviews with security companies and was offered a full-time position in January 2019. “Charmaine has been enjoying her new job,” said Danielle. “Her manager has told me that she has been a great addition to their team, and she has been working there now for almost half a year.”

To prepare Charmaine for her new job, Danielle took her shopping for clothes to keep her warm while working outside, including earmuffs, layering clothing, thick socks, boots, gloves, and a belt.

Now that she has achieved this crucial step to building a career, Charmaine plans to become a probation officer.

“I am proud that I have completely turned my life around and hope to help other foster youth like myself in the future,” said Charmaine.

Danielle and others at PRIDE Industries’ Youth Services Program were thrilled to see Charmaine’s success. “The smile on Charmaine’s face has made me realize how much her life has positively changed,” said Danielle.

Transitioning out of foster care is difficult for youth, but PRIDE Industries is there to provide hope, resources, and support, every step of the way.

Generous donations to PRIDE’s Development and Donor Services funded the following items for Charmaine’s journey to employment:

paid internship
on-going support from a job developer
work clothes
bus pass
household items
a start to a better life

Were you formerly in foster care?

Learn about our programs for employment success.