Adult Work Corp Program in Westmoreland County

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC), with funding from the Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Investment Board, is currently helping local boroughs, townships, school districts, and non-profit agencies in Westmoreland and Fayette counties complete small work projects to improve their facilities. The Westmoreland work crew started their first project painting over 10,000 square feet of space for the Westmoreland County Blind Association in Greensburg. According to Larry Helkowski, president and CEO of the Blind Association, a job like this would have cost the Blind Association ten times what it is costing them and they would never have the resources to complete it. Mr. Helkowski expressed satisfaction with the progress the crew is making in completing the project and commented on the quality of the work crew. "I'm just tickled to see the workers take such pride in their work, this is something you don't see a lot of", said Mr. Helkowski. Jack Tekavec, one of the crew members, learned about the project through the Westmoreland CareerLink. Adult Corps is providing him extra money and experience while he works towards his goal of obtaining Heating and Air Conditioning Certification from WCCC.

The Westmoreland County Blind Association, established in 1948, works to improve the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired and assists in the prevention of blindness in Westmoreland County. The area the PIC Adult Corp is painting houses the Blind Association's Records Management and Storage Facility, one of several areas within the Blind Association that provides employment opportunities to individuals who are blind or multi-handicapped. The Blind Association employed approximately 125 individuals throughout the past year in its Manufacturing Department, Work Activity Center, Embroidery Services Center, and Records Management/Storage and Document Shredding Center. The various departments enable disabled workers to perform various light assembly and sorting tasks while earning a paycheck and taking pride in their work. The Manufacturing Department produces several products for the Department of Defense including Navy Flyer's Kit Bags, Flight Deck Jerseys, and Neckerchiefs, and army Joint Services List Bag and Field Pack Covers. These government contracts were obtained through the National Industries for the Blind, who also provide training to the supervisors and workers. The embroidery services the Blind Center offers includes a retail shop open to the public and customized embroidery for local and national organizations.

The Westmoreland Adult Corps crew will complete an additional project cleaning vents in the Blind Association's Francis E. Wall Multi-Purpose Room and them move on to the Youngwood Borough, where they will be redoing the Park and Pool signs.

The Private Industry Council is still excepting work project applications from cities, boroughs, townships, school districts, and non-profit agencies. The Private Industry Council will provide the work crew and a supervisor, while the worksite provides the materials and tools necessary to complete the project. For more information, contact Frank Zadylak, PA CareerLink Westmoreland or LeAnn Bergman, PA CareerLink Fayette.

Crew Chief, David Wilkerson directs crew members as they paint the Westmoreland Blind Association's Records Management & Storage Facility

Pictured: Corps member Donald Waren

Pictured: crew members Paul Pampena & Eric Fetter

Westmoreland Adult Corp - Pictured from Left to right: Crew Mebers Paul Pampena & Donald Waren; Crew Chief, David Wilkerson; Frank Zadylak, of Westmoreland CareerLink; and crew members Eric Fetter & Jack Tekavec

Read about the Project in Fayette