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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT PRIDE Industries COMMUNITY STRENGTH, NATIONWIDE IMPACT PICTURED ABOVE [L-R]: BOB OLSEN, CHAIRMAN, PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | JEFF DERN, PRESIDENT, PRIDE INDUSTRIES | MIKE ZIEGLER, CEO, PRIDE INDUSTRIES Everyone benefits from the sense of worth and contribution that a job provides, but for people with disabilities, securing employment can be difficult. In addition, businesses without the insight of how people with disabilities are suited to various roles may be overlooking ideal job candidates. PRIDE Industries addresses the problem of underemployment of individuals with disabilities by creating opportunities through social enterprise. PRIDE is a community success story that has achieved national relevance. Founded in a church basement in Auburn, California by parents of adult children with disabilities in 1966, PRIDE’s foundation is unwavering. “Our mission has never changed,” says CEO Mike Ziegler. “PRIDE exists to create jobs for people with disabilities.” Today PRIDE has about $340 million in sales and employs more than 6,000 people, with more than half having a disability or barrier to employment. PRIDE provides contracting solutions that help businesses make a difference in their organizations and communities through integrated facilities services, custodial and environmental services, electronics manufacturing, supply chain and kitting, fulfillment and distribution services, and direct staffing services. Headquartered in Roseville, PRIDE operates contracts throughout California and 13 other states. “We wouldn’t have accomplished all we have without this community’s support,” says Ziegler. “We are one of the largest nonprofit employers of people with disabilities in the nation, and we didn’t attain that alone – we got there with the help of this incredible community.” Nationwide, however, about 32 million people of working age have a disability. Of those people, there is a 74 percent unemployment rate, making them the country’s largest disenfranchised population. Looking to the future, PRIDE is developing a people services aspect to help companies understand how to best employ people in need of an opportunity. “ PRIDE exists to create jobs for people with disabilities. — MIKE ZIEGLER CEO, PRIDE Industries ” 10030 Foothills Boulevard Roseville, CA 95747 800.550.6005 prideindustries.com | prideindustries.org December 2018 | comstocksmag.com 97