Fresno County supervisors recognized Pleasant Mattress on Tuesday for hiring practices that have helped dozens on county assistance programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting back in the workforce, being a productive member of society, getting up and having a purpose everyday is really important to people.\u201d \u2014 Kathi McIntyre, human resources manager, Pleasant Mattress <\/p>\n
The New Employment Opportunities program, run through the Department of Social Services and the Fresno County Economic Development Corp., helps find employment for people on CalWorks or other welfare programs.<\/p>\n
Participating employers can receive wage reimbursement for the first few months while people get training.<\/p>\n
For Pleasant Mattress, that has meant 32 of its employees working as truck drivers, on the assembly line, or at a variety of other jobs, said human resources manager Kathi McIntyre.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting back in the workforce, being a productive member of society, getting up and having a purpose everyday is really important to people,\u201d McIntyre. \u201cFor their kids too, coming home and talking about their day is really fulfilling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Welfare Recipients Getting Employment Starts\/Restarts<\/p>\n
Located in southwest Fresno, Pleasant Mattress has been in business for more than 60 years, and it is in the third generation of ownership, McIntyre said.<\/p>\n
From the building in the back where springs are made to the quilting machines stitching designs into fabric, all mattresses \u201care truly made from scratch,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Right now, they have six people from the NEO program. Others move into higher positions or even start their own businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a couple of our employees who have moved on to bigger, better things,\u201d McIntyre told GV Wire. \u201cWe had a truck driver start his own truck driving company. We\u2019re just really helping our community by promoting people.\u201d<\/p>\n
NEO Program Has Helped 2,500 People Find Employment<\/p>\n
For the first three months of employment, Fresno County covers wages for workers. Following that, 75% of wages are covered for the next three months.<\/p>\n