OWL finds room for challenged workers in regional economy
April 2, 2009
By William Gillespie, Business Lexington
Lexington, KY - It’s no secret U.S. employers have long been dismayed at the quality and preparation of job applicants, and seriously concerned regarding the professionalism and work ethic of new employees. Speaking at her swearing-in ceremony last month, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis called for a solution. “In a time of economic crisis, giving Americans the tools they need to find and keep good jobs must be our priority. Now more than ever, we must help workers by prioritizing job training and assistance.”
For 50 years, in Lexington, that’s been the mission of OWL, Opportunity for Work and Learning, a non-profit, 501(C)3 corporation serving employers in central Kentucky by training and preparing individuals to be ready to make a solid contribution in the workplace. Founded by the Lexington Junior League, with funds from their annual horse show, over 15,000 people with physical or mental disabilities have participated in OWL’s professional rehabilitation programs since its inception, with over 2,750 successfully employed.
In a three-building complex on Kennedy Road off Newtown Pike, across from the main entrance to Lexmark, and with 74,000 square feet of production and training space, OWL provides staffing services for employers that include office support, customer service, retail and stock clerks, assembly and warehouse workers, janitorial services, and general laborers.
In addition, according to David Boggs, president and CEO, OWL administers vocational evaluation and employment services, life management and computer classes, and a forklift/materials handling/logistics certification program. “We do not receive any government funding. Our funding comes through contract work that we do through the Department of Community Based Services, from contract work we do for Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as the manufacturing jobs we do for companies like Lexmark, Square D, Trane, and Webasto.”
In one recent week, Boggs estimated, “OWL served 250 people in various counseling and training programs and had around 130 people working on-site. Last year we placed 121 people in successful employment — that’s 121 people who were not employed, or who needed much better employment, so they came to us. Unlike most employers,” Boggs said, “it’s a great day for us when somebody leaves here and gets a job. Every week we have new people start here, and every week we have people leave.”
“Also as a part of Vocational Rehabilitation, we serve a large number of ex-offenders. Recidivism is much higher when they come out if they don’t have a job. They can come right to us and we can help them prepare to get a job, get re-established, get the work adjustment that they need, then help them get back out in the workforce.”
Boggs is quick to emphasize the wide range of practical training and life skills OWL offers. “When they leave here, they have those soft skills down that every employer is looking for — good attendance, communication skills, basic math and computer skills.” And Boggs doesn’t have to look far to find OWL success stories. Two of his core staff are products of OWL training and rehabilitation programs.
Dawn Collett came to OWL in 2001 suffering from a drug dependency and depression. “I was receiving unemployment and my benefits were about ready to run out. The Fayette County unemployment office referred me to OWL.”
Collett was tested and treated for her disability, and was given a full-time position in the manufacturing facility at OWL. She struggled to find stability. The transition was difficult, but in counseling something clicked. Collett requested an office position, and OWL agreed to give her a chance.
Today, Collett has significant responsibilities in OWL’s front office. Her title is materials handler/parts coordinator/project supervisor. “Then I had no place to live; now I have a place of my own, with absolutely no help at all.”
Sherrian Peyton came to OWL in 1988 for a vocational evaluation after a workman's comp injury. Based on her strong work history, the recommendation of her physician, and the results of OWL vocational testing, OWL counselors recommended Peyton return to technical school to improve her computer skills.
“I was enduring all of this pain,” Peyton said, “and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to school, but they kept telling me, ‘Oh, you can do it,’ and my mother told me to never give up, that you might not be successful at first, but keep on trying. And at that time, OWL needed help in the office, so the counselors arranged for me to go to school in the morning and work in the OWL offices in the afternoon.”
Peyton celebrated 20 years at OWL in January of this year, and is only a year away from retirement. “I have worked as the receptionist and on the switchboard. I was the bookkeeper. Now I do accounts payable/receivable, keep up with the OWL checkbook, and make sure the mortgages are paid and that we have the money on hand to do what we need to do.” On the receivables side, OWL sales have averaged $3.2 million over the last five years.
“One of the reasons I have been successful here was the surroundings, the support services, all of the evaluations and training I received when I first came here. It meant a lot. People come here worried about their injuries, worried about what they are going to do and starting over again. OWL gives you that start, the insight, the support that you need. Just to have someone tell you that you can do it, you can be successful, makes a difference.”
President/CEO Boggs constantly pitches OWL to area businesses.
“We are cost competitive, even though we pay benefits,” he said. “We are cost competitive in our bidding. We do ‘just in time’ delivery, and our quality control is impeccable. That’s why the customers we have keep coming back to us. OWL is one of Central Kentucky’s hidden treasures.”
“Not only,” Boggs said, “are OWL vocational and rehabilitational programs good for our tax system, for people to be employed, but for people who are employed, it is much better for their self-esteem. They have better goals for their families. Their outlook on life is better. It builds a stronger community.”
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