One of the Area’s Largest Employers of the Disabled Speaks out on the Government Shutdown

Oct. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- With more than 1300 employees, Melwood is one of the largest employers of people with differing abilities in the region.  The organization, which employs people at area companies and with government agencies, has had a dozen government agencies it works with reduce their services and three agencies close.  If the shutdown continues, there may be more closures and more people out of work.  It’s ironic that the shutdown is taking place during National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month.

“We started two weeks ago with two of the government agencies we work with closed and now there are three,” explained Melwood President and CEO Cari DeSantis.  “As we enter the third week of the shutdown, many of our government contract employees will soon feel a significant impact,” DeSantis continued. The government shutdown is also taking its toll on the organization at-large as Melwood loses approximately $350,000 per week in gross revenue.  “We’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” said DeSantis.  The organization has put contracts and non-essential purchases on hold and is currently holding off on planning a holiday party.

“We’re very concerned about our employees and are assessing the situation and communicating daily as more employees begin to feel the result of the shutdown,” explained DeSantis.  Because of pay cycles, many of Melwood’s employees will not feel the real impact until the 24th of the month, when those paychecks may be zero.

DeSantis is quick to point out that Melwood also provides employment for a large number of people with differing abilities within the private sector.   Without Melwood as an advocate and employer, some of those workers would have to rely on federal and state government social services for basic needs and programs for people with disabilities.  “This is a little-recognized workforce that is highly capable, dependable and loyal,” DeSantis stated, “one of Melwood’s many strengths is helping others tap into this workforce and our goal is to grow employment opportunities with more employers and more jobs, and not just government.”

Melwood, celebrating 50 years this year, is the employer of choice for people with differing abilities.  In 1963, a group of parents and community supporters created a place where youth of differing abilities could learn a useful skill to gain employment.  It was a bold move for that time.  Today, Melwood has grown and provides job opportunities and supportive services to approximately 1,900 individuals with disabilities annually, including the disabled veteran population.  It also operates a recreation center and camp for nearly 900 adults and children with and without disabilities.  The 501(c)3 organization generated over $85million in revenue in 2013.

About Melwood

Melwood is a 501(c)3 organization that advocates for and empowers individuals of differing abilities to transform their own lives through unique opportunities.   Melwood provides employment, job training, life skill improvement, supportive and recreational services for more than 1900 individuals in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region and serves as an international model that has been duplicated around the world. For more information, visit www.melwood.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Cari DeSantis, president and CEO of Melwood is available for interviews.  Please call Vicki Bendure at 540-687-3360, or 202-374-9259 (cell) to schedule.