Win-Win Situation...
Pool of Willing Workers Within Reach

Are time-consuming tasks interfering with getting your product out on time? Do you find yourself short of assembly workers for a project or in need of a periodic or occasional organized pool of workers? A solution may be within reach - Reach, Inc., a private, non-profit organization Bozeman, Montana, since 1974.

Through a vocational assistance program for adults with developmental disabilities at Reach, manufacturers can arrange projects that help both them and this special program. The Labor Services Work Center is an important component of the Reach program and programs like it around the state. Other components include residential living services, supported employment out in the community, and transportation services to citizens coping with metal retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, and other developmental and neurological handicaps, as well as those dealing with physical disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

Ties to the manufacturing community are an integral part of the success of the vocational program, according to Deborah Metrick, Contract and Business Development Specialist for Reach. It is through contracted work that the organized pool of 40 workers improves job skills and receives socialization opportunities while preparing for jobs out in the community. Wages they earn also come from contracted work and special projects.

"The inspirational thing about working here is our clients' pride in their work and how much they appreciate the opportunity to work," Metrick said. "You don't always see that in a workforce today."

Ready - Willing - Able
This crew is ready, willing, and able to perform assembly work and production tasks. They have a wide range of abilities, and skilled support staff help create efficient tools and jigs to help workers overcome obstacles and maintain quality in job performance. Several staff members will perform time studies on tasks prior to bidding a job to ensure that piece work is bid accurately and priced competitively, Metrick said.

"Our clients have a large range of abilities, and we offer fast turnaround for our manufacturing projects. Companies like Gibson Guitar in Bozeman and Dynojet Research and Optech USA in Belgrade have been very supportive of the Reach Work Center. And we welcome the opportunity to work with other manufacturers."

Some Examples
As an example, the Reach Work Center crew assembles and seals picnic packets for national park concessionaires, seals and tags small tools, and works to assemble straps and buckles sued on a variety of equipment, A special in-house fund-raising project at Reach is its Brewery Box gift set. These colorful collections of four beverage glasses are assembled at the Reach Workshop and start with construction of the wooden crate, then the insert of shredded paper that protects the glass and colorful tissue paper to set off the brewery logos on each glass. Each crate is then wrapped in clear plastic and marketed in the region, including at Hamilton Stores in Yellowstone National Park. To order gift sets or learn more about Reach, look at Web site www.reachinc.org. To talk with Metrick about a manufacturing project through the Workshop, call Reach, Inc., at 406-587-1271.

Similar pools of willing workers are available in other communities across Montana. Visit this Web site for more information Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. Click on Employment, click Developmental Disabilities Program Work & Other Day Services, scroll to Links near bottom, click any topic to scroll to list of contracted services groups offering work centers. Contact list below:

Organization -- City -- Phone Number
Achievements, Inc. Libby 406-293-8848
AWARE, Inc. Anaconda 406-563-5229
Big Sandy Activities, Inc. Big Sandy 406-378-2598
Blackfeet Opportunities Browning 406-338-5364
BSW, Inc. Butte 406-782-6501
BSW, Inc. Dillon 406-683-5773
Choteau Activities, Inc. Choteau 406-466-5331
COR Enterprises, Inc. Billings 406-248-9115
Counterpoint, Inc. Livingston 406-222-2472
Easter Seal/Goodwill Ind. of MT Great Falls 406-761-3680
Eastern Montana Industries Miles City 406-232-3740
Flathead Industries Kalispell 406-755-7656
Glen-Wood, Inc. Plentywood 406-765-2040
Havre Day Activity Center, Inc. Havre 406-265-5506
Helena Industries, Inc. Helena 406-442-8632
Little Bitterroot Services, Inc. Plains 406-826-3689
Malta Opportunities, Inc. Malta 406-654-2582
Milk River, Inc. Glasgow 406-228-8412
Mission Mountain Enterprises Ronan 406-676-2563
New Horizons Unlimited, Inc. Harlem 406-353-2611
Opportunity Resources Missoula 406-329-1758
Quality Life Concepts, Inc. Great Falls 406-452-9531
Quality Life Concepts, Inc. Conrad 406-278-3238
Quality Life Concepts, Inc. Shelby 406-434-5042
Ravalli Services Corporation Hamilton 406-363-5400
Reach, Inc. Bozeman 406-587-1271
Billings Training Industry Billings 406-652-5120
Big Horn Industries Hardin 406-665-2278
Richland Opportunities Sidney 406-488-3341
West Mont Helena 406-443-7718