Celebrating 20 years of employment!
On an average weekday, Jamie Owen wakes up, gets ready for work, and arrives at Transylvania Vocational Services full of energy. Jamie’s personality is described as hardworking, enthusiastic, and optimistic.
“Jamie is one of the most dependable workers that we have,” said TVS Human Resources Director Lauren Hayes. “He is always on time, present, and ready to do any job that our managers have for him. That kind of dependability is hard to find, and we are so thankful that Jamie is on team TVS!”
Jamie and others have had the opportunity to work on important federal contracts for the U.S. Government since TVS started participating with the AbilityOne® Program in 2000. The AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. The individuals employed through the Program work alongside those without disabilities in collaborative and integrated work environments. These settings help create a productive and often transformative work experience for many individuals with and without employment barriers.
TVS is one of the nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica® network. For 20
years, Jamie has worked on a variety of AbilityOne contracts through the organization, and currently helps manufacture products for customers such as the USDA, USAID & DLA Troop Support. Jamie is a Production Associate and produces items such as TVS’ Mountain Maid Bakery Mix and Pancake Mix, and SuperCereal Plus. The SuperCereal is specially formulated and offers complete nutrition for children ages 6-24 months. The cereal is shipped abroad to assist with international famine relief efforts.
Jamie’s tenure makes him a valuable asset at TVS because he can work at almost any stage in the production process. On a normal day, Jamie can be found packing and assembling boxes, operating the filling machines, and moving boxes onto pallets.
“The AbilityOne contract is what helped to create jobs with flexibility and other accommodations that would not traditionally be found at other jobs,” said Hayes. “TVS would not exist if it weren’t for workers like Jamie. His effort and determination to show up every day and give TVS his all is what keeps us running and able to provide food for people around the world. We continue to accomplish our mission because of his dedication.”
In April 2021, Jamie celebrated his 20th year of employment at TVS, and the organization proudly celebrated this milestone with him.
“TVS is a good job. It has changed my life ever since I came here,” said Jamie. “Thanks to the different job tasks, I am happy that I can keep working with my favorite people here for years to come.”
To learn more about how your organization can employ people with disabilities, contact customerservice@sourceamerica.org.
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