Cat earns national honor from SourceAmerica
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- Published on Friday, 12 September 2014 19:28
- Written by Paul Gordon
Caterpillar Inc., which has partnered with Community Workshop and Training Center Inc. for more than 50 years, on Friday was named recipient of the Commercial Business Partnership Award from SourceAmerica.
The award recognizes a commercial business that has partnered with an AbilityOne-producing nonprofit agency to increase the employability of people with significant disabilities. CWTC nominated Caterpillar earlier this year.
“We are grateful for our partnership of over 54 years with Caterpillar,” said CWTC Executive Director Patti Gratton. “Our relationship has provided financial stability for the agency, ensuring the continuation of vital programs and services to help CWTC fulfill our mission of maximizing the independence of adults with disabilities.”
Presentation of the award will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at CWTC, 3215 N. University Street in Peoria. Presenting the award will be Chris K. Stream, executive director of the North Central Region of SourceAmerica.
SourceAmerica (formerly NISH), a national nonprofit, is the leading source of job opportunities for a dedicated and highly qualified workforce – people with significant disabilities. Through their work, they make the American dream more accessible to a segment of the population where nearly 80 percent do not have jobs.
CWTC provides programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.
More than 325 people work at CWTC, packaging parts for Caterpillar under a contract between the companies. CWTC will ship an average of 500,000 parts for Caterpillar each week, usually within three days of receiving an order.
CWTC has collaborative work agreements with other companies and agencies, as well, and boasts an annual payroll of nearly $1 million.
It also has a job placement program whereby its clients, which CWTC calls “consumers,” can be matched to a job out in the community that fits their skills. Through the program, the consumer is tracked for a year to ensure they are doing as expected for their employer and vice versa.
