GRANDVIEW, Mo. – The executive director for Foundation Workshop, Inc. (FWI), which employs 90 people with disabilities, said the economy is forcing them to consider significant cost cutting moves.
“If things don’t look up in another year then I think we’ll have to ask some really tough questions,” said Aaron Martin, executive director for FWI.
Martin said each employee gets vocational training and minimum wage. Most do work for FWI subcontractors. Some days they clean and test remotes for Comcast. Another day they sort advertising signs for the Icee company.
A few FWI employees work inside the new recycling plant in Grandview. However, the economy threatens to shred the whole operation.
“Maybe in another year, if things don’t look up, then I think we’re going to have to start asking some really tough questions,” Martin said.
Despite subsidies from Missouri and Jackson County governments, FWI has to cut expenses. Martin said most subcontractors are struggling to keep their own employees. As a result, those subcontractors are sending few jobs to FWI.
At the same time, Martin said the recycling market is collapsing.
“A year a go, cardboard was going for $120 to $130 dollars a ton,” Martin said. “Now, it’s down to $25 (a ton).”
At all costs, Foundation Workshop is avoiding service cuts and layoffs.
“It means a lot to me,” said Cindy Lamp, an FWI employee.
For Lamp, her job is essential training she considers to be a bridge to better employment in the future.
“I used to be out in the world, working in the community and I’d like to be out there again,” Lamp said.
Martin said FWI is looking for additional subcontractors. For information, visit FWI’s website.
