Jonesboro Human Development Center (JHDC) hosted its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for Ecoworks, a recycling program that employs clients of the JHDC, a residential facility operated through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) for people with intellectual disabilities.
“We are creating jobs, independence and opportunities for our residents in addition to fostering good environmental stewardship,” says Kisha Miller, coordinator of Recycling Development at Ecoworks.
The new 10,000-square-foot facility will be dedicated to Sen. Jerry Bookout for his years of public service and support of the disabled community. The groundbreaking for the facility was in May 2015.
Special guests included DHS Director Cindy Gillespie, Melissa Stone, director of the DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, NEA community members, city employees and the families of Ecoworks employees.
“Our residents enjoy the work they do and the environment makes it a fun place to work,” said Diane Keith, interim superintendent for JHDC. “We take pride in our program and the impact it has on the lives we serve.”
Of the 108 residents at JDHC, 81 are employed with Ecoworks in various jobs with an emphasis on recycling and production. They also learn facts about the environment through daily lessons and participation in celebrations and cleanup projects throughout the year, partnering with Keep Arkansas Beautiful and Earthday.org. Ecoworks is a member of the Arkansas Recycling Coalition.