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AbilityOne

The AbilityOne Program creates jobs and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities, empowering them to lead more productive and independent lives. Its primary means of doing so is by requiring Government agencies to purchase selected products and services from nonprofit organizations employing such individuals. Currently, the AbilityOne Program provides employment opportunities for more than 40,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by orchestrating Government purchases of products and services provided by nonprofit agencies employing such individuals throughout the country. Elwyn Ca is proud to manage and operate 6 premier Ability One contracts with another in process, employing about 22 individuals with disabilities along with several staff members. These dedicated individuals provide services for a mailroom, several custodial sites and soon for courier services in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

In 1938, the Wagner-O'Day Act was passed under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind by allowing them to sell products to the Federal Government. In 1971, under the leadership of Senator Jacob Javits, Congress amended this Act (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) to include people with severe disabilities and allow the Program to also provide services to the Federal Government. More than 60 years later, this extraordinary socioeconomic program provides Federal customers with a wide array of quality products and services, while providing thousands of people with severe disabilities employment opportunities and increased independence.
 http://www.abilityone.gov/news/PressRelease_FEBBidMOU.pdf  
 

NISH has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ which then allows nonprofit agencies such as Elwyn to hire veterans graduated from the VA’s Compensated Work Therapy program. These individuals are then qualified to work on Ability One (federal) contracts. Elwyn CA is a proud participant, and has hired two contract workers, both who have proven to be real assets to our custodial services teams.
News

Elwyn to Host NISH Conference
 Elwyn California is the official host for NISH’s 2010 Annual Training & Achievement Conference in Anaheim May 24-26.

“Elwyn California is extremely proud and excited to serve as the official Host for NISH’s 2010 Annual Training & Achievement Conference in Anaheim May 24-26. This very high profile role allows us to spotlight Elwyn’s great programs and services to 1,300 conference visitors involved in the Ability One program across the country. Attendees will be fellow Community Rehab Providers, federal agencies, the Presidents’ Committee, and NISH staff from all corners of the US (& Guam). We will provide fulfillment for the conference giveaway bags, manage an information booth, and provide labor for various needs throughout the 3 day conference. Staff is eager to roll out the welcome mat and help ensure the Anaheim NISH conference is a great success!” Cheryl Westley, Director of Business Development & Contracting

“The NISH National Conference attracts over 1,300 people each year and NISH needs to be able to count on our local sponsors to assist with the vast array of materials and supplies that NISH ships out in advance in support of this event. We know we can rely on Elwyn to do the same outstanding and on-time work they do for all of their customers….thanks Elwyn!” David P Dubinsky, Executive Director, Pacific West Region

 

 The AbilityOne Program is administered by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, an independent federal agency, with assistance from NISH and National Industries for the Blind. 
 

 

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You and your organization are also to be commended on providing such a fine service to the community by your hiring practices and giving everyone a chance to excel! Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Phil Lonzello

ISM4 Phil Lonzello,USCG (Ret.)
Supervisor IT/ET Division
ESD San Pedro
(310) 521-4502
philip.j.lonzello@uscg.mil 

I just wanted to give my thanks especially to you and your staff for the service you have given us. Your staff is very professional and friendly.  You have always been helpful when we needed something special.  This made my job easier.  In addition, I would like to recognize one of your newer employees Mark.  Mark is an expert on making a floor look like new. Our floors have never looked so clean and good.  He has made it easier for us to keep them clean.  He is truly an asset to your group.

Thank you again for all your help.

Madeline Marquez
Management & Program Analyst
DHS-ICE
Office of Professional Responsibility(Suite 6100)
(562) 980-3170 x204
(562) 980-3129 Fax

“I have had the outstanding opportunity to work with Elwyn California. Elwyn is very user friendly and thoroughly customer service orientated from the management team down to the working staff. My Supported Employment program has two Veteran’s working for Elwyn. They are really enjoying their jobs, are gaining work experience and gratification from being employed. I would recommend Elwyn unconditionally.”


Scott
Supported Employment Program
United Stated Department of Veteran Affairs
Long Beach, CA. Long Beach Medical Center
 

I would like to thank you and your cleaning crew, for the exceptional job performance at the Irvine Reserve Center.

Thanks,
Michael Camarena
SFC, USAR 419th CSSB S-3 Training NCO Office

 

 

Special Recognition

Each year, by a Presidential decree, the nation celebrates October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Nationwide, over 30K people with disabilities work on federal contracts, regulated and managed within the Ability One program . These individuals have meaningful jobs and make a good wage with benefits. This year on Oct. 9, Ability One hosted a special event at the Ronald Reagan building, where a handful of premiere agencies were able to honor “Employees of the Year.” Elwyn CA was pleased and proud to nominate Jamal Hughes.

Jamal Hughes, has worked at the Glenn Anderson building in Long Beach for GSA services since 6-17- 03. He works hard, knows his job, is willing to go the extra mile, and always willing to help when short staffed.  Jamal knows all the duties that are to be done in the GSA building, and he is key in training new recruits. Jamal is very knowledgeable about what is to be done on specific days without referring to the list of duties. Jamal takes customer service to heart and excels at working with the tenants in the building. He is polite to them when asked to do something and does not hesitate to help them out as needed. Jamal will stop what he is doing and go the extra mile to help any tenants. Jamal does all he does with great pride and manages to be safety conscious at the same time. If he identifies a potential hazard, he brings it directly to the attention of his supervisor.  When there is a spill or wet floors, he ensures the signs are consistently used.  Jamal has shown great dedication over the years, and he is a very reliable employee who can be counted on to make sure things get done.  And then, they are done correctly – he is Elwyn CA’s Employee of the Year.

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