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Recycled bike assists father with disability to attend training for employment

Georgia Department of Labor Press Release
Covington, GA July 20, 2005:

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) client Jeffrey Nunn, who has a mild cognitive impairment, is the recipient of a special gift- transportation to work and the chance to achieve self-sufficiency for himself and his family. The transportation is a bicycle, donated by BikeAthens' bike recycling program. BikeAthens (www.bikeathens.com) is an Athens area group promoting alternative transportation. With the assistance of the donated bike, Mr. Nunn is able to learn work skills as a training participant with Half Moon Grill, a new restaurant in the Save-Rite shopping plaza in Covington.

"The training is complicated. I'm learning how to wash dishes and cook food in a restaurant. I really appreciated the bike from BikeAthens," said Mr. Nunn.

Mr. Nunn's gift is an example to the Athens community that transportation to work is a problem that can be solved creatively- when community agencies and businesses work together.

Peter Norris of BikeAthens's bike recycling program provided a fully refurbished, donated 21-speed bicycle to Mr. Nunn, as well as a bike helmet, a bike lock, a safety vest, headlight and taillight, and a publication describing rules of the road. Mr. Nunn benefited by saving on transportation costs while he saves for an automobile. In addition, his 45-minute walk to work became a 15-minute bike ride. Half Moon Grill benefited from Mr. Nunn having reliable transportation to work. BikeAthens' donated bicycle removed the transportation barrier and gave VR the ability to arrange the training.

Vocational Rehabilitation provided an incentive for Half Moon Grill to hire Mr. Nunn as a training participant. For one month, VR, through a third-party nonprofit organization, is paying Mr. Nunn's wages and covering his worker's compensation insurance. Following the training, if Half Moon Grill finds Mr. Nunn to have sufficient work skills, they will hire him as a permanent employee. Half Moon Grill benefits from the opportunity to screen a potential employee during a paid training period. Mr. Nunn benefits from the opportunity to enhance his work skills in a natural business environment.

Joycelyn Reid of Half Moon Grill gave Mr. Nunn the chance to prove his work skills through the training placement. The restaurant, which opened its doors on Tuesday, July 12 and is holding its grand opening on Friday, August 5, is providing a service to the community by helping develop the local workforce.

Vocational Rehabilitation (www.vocrehabga.org) is an employment program administered through the Georgia Department of Labor. VR's primary goal is to assist individuals with disabilities to become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment. VR works with employers to recruit talented employees with disabilities.

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For more info, contact Christy Archer, Georgia Department of Labor- Rehabilitation Services (christy.archer@dol.state.ga.us, or call 770-207-4220

 


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