Working Order Wins Award
Working Order wins the tenth annual Power of Work Awards highlighting the success of its support for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
Working Order is honored to be one of the four winners of the Goodwill Power of Work Awards but believes that the 57 individual entrepreneurships that have developed in the Sharpsburg office are the real winners along with 63 other individuals who have developed skills and found meaningful work.
Working Order was selected from more than 100 nominees and recognized at the Goodwill Power of Work Awards Celebration in October at Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh. Over 30 guest entrepreneurs and supporters attended the event.
Ruby Wilkosz, Director, introduced Alan Garner the President and CEO of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, Working Order’s new merger partner and a new face in Pittsburgh. Two entrepreneurs, Tom Byrnes, owner of T.I.M.E. Consultants, and Colette Garmer, sole proprietor of Garmer Jewelry and Beads told their personal stories of success.
Six other entrepreneurs attended and practiced the valuable skills of networking with celebrants from the other companies. A grant writer, a graphic designer, a web designer, a note card photographer and the owner of a promotional products business represented the many entrepreneurships developed and supported by the Working Order program supporting self-employment. Each business owner has an individual story to tell.
The Working Order Program works to reduce the 70% unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities. At the same time Working Order supports other small business owners who need shared business space or want to tap into affordable business expertise.
For 10 years this unique incubator model has been making a positive impact on the lives of people looking for meaningful business opportunity and now, with the help of Volunteers of America, looks forward to replicating the program across Pennsylvania.
Honored to receive the Goodwill Power of Work Awards along with The Center for Creative Play, Giant Eagle, Inc, and Highmark Inc., Working Order believes in its promotion of self-employment as an alternative for people with and without disabilities who face obstacles to employment.
The opportunity to provide a variety of support services and shared resources helps facilitate the start-up of businesses for many individuals who need flexible schedules or unusual work plans but who are looking for ways to develop meaningful work for themselves.
Founded in 1996 by Pittsburgh speech pathologist Susan Chase, Working Order became a program of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania in July 2006.
The Working Order Program has six full-time employees and more than 20 dedicated volunteers currently serving over 50 client entrepreneurs from its offices in Sharpsburg.