Alpaca Paper Service
Submitted by Chester Eastwood on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 08:42.
Last updated on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:46.
Vital Stats
ongoing project
12/07/2008
People Impacted:
50People Involved: 10
Money Raised: $200 monthly donation from the local paper & we charge a fee for the delivery
Project Video
The Problem
Developmentally Disabled (DD) adults do not have opportunity to work, so I started an company called Alpaca Paper service, and employed DD adults.
Why It's Important
The Alpaca Paper Service is a small business that was designed with developmentally disabled adults in mind who want to work jobs that let them meet people in their community and provide a great service while allowing them to make money at the same time. By creating the small business we are breaking the stereotypes of employment that are usually offered to this group such as dishwashing, cleaning, shredding etc... Those are great places to start yet some tend to isolate them from the community. Often they are jobs done alone or with only a few interactions. Alpaca Paper Service will bring awareness of the capabilities of the DD Population. This company is staffed fully by DD Adults and will provide a service that has not been available in our area in the past. Alpaca is a door to door delivery service of the local paper that will serve the community Monday - Friday.
The Plan Of Action
We plan on personalizing our papers with special touches such as holiday ribbons or cards and possibably treats on special occasions. We will be approaching local stores to add discount coupons to our papers so that we add that special touch and bonus to our delivery. With the grant money we would use it to buy magnet signs for our transportation vehicles, maybe for office space and we would like uniforms .When we grow maybe we could sponsor an adaptive sports team with equipment for extra activities to be available to our population such as Adaptive ski equipment or Adaptive hockey sleds, fishing poles and/or supplies. Several of our workers are in wheel chairs and could use this equipment during down time or off the clock hours.A full life should include good jobs , families,extra activities and friends. Alpaca paper service wants to help lead the way to a promising future and creative change.
How Can Others Get Involved?
We ask that everyone think about challenging yourself and changing the world. Don't sit back waiting on the world to change do something to make the difference. Also, if you'd like more information on how to start my project in YOUR area, please leave me a comment!
Project Updates
No updates found!
Final Grant Update
10/3/08
Chester Eastwood
Number of people impacted: 10 businesses, 2 Nursing Homes & 27 private homes more to come !
Describe the impact the grant had: The Grant allowed us to have uniform hats and advertize on our vehicles. We also have employee badges which we wear proudly. This was a wonderful jump start for us. THANK YOU SO MUCH !
Project highlights: 1. growing our list of employees 2. getting notes from our customers with praise. 3. the smiles my friends are carrying on payday.
How did the project unfold and develop? Our Paper service has taken off and provided 125 papers delivered daily and has employed 11 developmentally disabled adults providing them with a paycheck. We used the grant to purchase car magnets and window stickers to advertize our services . Also we bought employee hats for uniforms that help us advertize. We are proud of our accomplishments and continue to move forward being creative in starting up businesses that will employ the disabled. Thanks for all your help !
Location
Related Causes:
Get some cash to get your project to the next level. Weekly grants are available.
Comments
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OMG. I Loooove this project. So Awesome!!!!
Keep up the great work, Chester! That's so great!