CHICO — At a fundraising banquet this spring, the Jesus Center introduced a man recently employed in landscaping.
The man said he’s learning to be “responsible for himself,” explained Jesus Center Director Bill Such. He has a job, and is accountable.
The man said one thing he had to learn was to get up each morning.
Many at the fundraising event giggled. But for the man, getting up each day hadn’t been important in the past.
Now he has a role in society, Such said.
In operation since June, many of the jobs through JobLink have centered around tasks at the Jesus Center — kitchen help, snack bar service, etc.
Also, some workers fill landscaping crews for facilities operated by Behavioral Health.
Such would like to see new businesses added, working within the existing business community.
One idea is to have a coffee house with staff through the program. The Jesus Center would help choose people who appear ready.
Another idea is to use the center’s commercial kitchen to provide meals to people who are home-bound.
More ideas are welcome. Whatever maps out would need to include community involvement, Such said.
“We’re looking into ways in which businesses can be created, small businesses by people who are seeking to get their lives together,” and things that generate skills.
Yet another idea is to run a portable flower cart, maybe in the downtown area, where workers could learn to work with the public.
The key would be to have business
owners, or potential business owners, come forward with ideas and a business plan.
Data entry, janitorial and expansion of the landscaping services all have potential, Such said.
To talk about ideas, Such can be reached at 345-2640. JobLink program manager Tim Stephens can be reached at tim@jesuscenter.org.
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