DOORS TO OPPORTUNITY

For a problem, there was award-winning solution

By Rita Frankenberry, The Virginian-Pilot - 9/21/2008

VIRGINIA BEACH
Constant turnover and a poor work ethic were problems plaguing Herb Ellington's work force at Alsco Textile Services, a laundry on Shell Road.

Some employees didn't like the regimented routine and often quit after a few months, said Herb Ellington, plant manager.

So when the city's Department of Human Services approached Ellington about hiring people with disabilities, he gave it a try.

"I had a tremendous issues with turnover in employees and I felt I could reduce my turnover by using some of this work force, Ellington said.

Reggie Cray, left, 2008 Special Achievement Award winner, and his boss, Herb Ellington, who accepted the Virginia Beach Rotary Club's first Doors to Opportunity Award on behalf of Alsco Textile Services, pose for the camera.

In March 2007, Ellington hired four part-time employees to handle the sorting line at Alsco laundry. Now he has eight workers with disabilities; six full time with benefits. Ellington plans to hire more.

"I get stable employees, people who want to work, and tax-incentive credit for some of it," he said.

Earlier this month, Alsco earned the Virginia Beach Rotary Club's first Doors to Opportunity Award. The honor recognizes an area business for enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.

"We have well over 100 businesses in the area that employ our individuals," said Carmen Mendez, the mental health/mental retardation supervisor with the local Department of Human Services who nominated Alsco. "It was so difficult to pick one."

Most businesses the city works with offer part-time jobs, Mendez said. Alsco's full-time positions helped set them apart.

Aside from creating a more rigorous training schedule and having a human services representative on-site, Ellington said he hasn't made many changes to integrate the disabled workers.

"They are treated and handled just like every other Alsco associate," Ellington said. "They're happy to come to work. They want to learn and they want these jobs."

At the industrial laundry, the employees perform tasks related to sorting and cleaning items from nearby restaurants and hotels. Mendez said that Ellington has gone out of his way to give the workers opportunities.

"He said they could do more, so he's recognizing the abilities that these people have," Mendez said.

Among them is Reginald Cray, one of the first employees Ellington hired through human services, Mendez said.

"He's successful at pretty much anything we ask him to do," Ellington said.

Earlier this month, Cray's hard work also was recognized when he received the Rotary Club's Special Achievement Award.

Cray, a production worker, has operated washers, the cart dumper and sling lift. The machines require coordination with co-workers and a high level of training, said Mendez, who nominated Cray for the award. "He has overcome a number of barriers and he's never gotten down."

Rita Frankenberry, 222-5102, rita.frankenberry@pilotonline.com

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