Willing and Able

Looking for work these days can be a challenge for anyone. In the past year Harlan County, Kentucky has already seen a coal mine and several department stores shut down, and there are rumors of future layoffs at area coal mines.

With fewer places hiring and fierce competition for limited spaces, imagine what it must be like for people who are already perceived as disadvantaged because of a physical, mental or emotional disability?

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“Unfortunately, about 60% of the disabled population of this country doesn’t work anywhere and most of them can given the right opportunity and the right company that’s willing to make the accommodations,” says Norm Bradley, Interim Executive Director of Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries (SEKRI).

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SEKRI is a non-profit organization that manufactures products contracted by the US military at seven facilities throughout southeastern Kentucky. They see this special population as desirable, if not essential: at least 75 percent of their workforce is required to be made up of individuals with special needs. The company accommodates everything from doctor’s appointments to redesigning a workstation.

New jobs are scarce around these parts, but SEKRI is one of the few places other than fast-food restaurants that is hiring. The Cumberland facility just outside of Harlan County makes the eight-point Navy working utility caps and has just been tasked with producing the new Army Combat Shirt made out of flame-resistant fabric that is to be worn under body armor.

That means at least 60 to 70 new jobs will be available to both the disabled and not; which could have a big impact on this small community.

Kimberly Moore is one of the lucky new hires and grateful for the opportunity. The prospect of finding a job after moving back to Harlan County after many years was daunting. While she herself only suffers occasional back pain, she sees the value in a company that cares more about jobs than the bottom line.

“It feels like you’re part of something bigger, it’s not just a job. You feel like you’re part of, like you’re family.”