INVESTMENT RECOVERY CENTER
In 1990, The Arc of Spokane developed a partnership with Avista Utilities.
The Arc employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are then contracted to work at Avista’s Investment Recovery Center. These individuals perform jobs such as driving forklifts and sorting cast-off wiring and equipment for recycling. They have become an integral part of Avista’s operations and save millions each year in materials.
Currently there are nine process workers who work at the Avista site. One of those workers, Malachi Chaney, has become a valuable team member at the investment recovery center. "I feel good about it, really good - all of the stuff I've learned over the years I've been here. That forklift's nice, though," said Chaney. "I wake up with a smile on my face every day coming to work."
Another worker, James McCormack not only earned his drivers license while employed at the Investment Recovery Center, he also became certified to drive a forklift. “I am a forklift driver. That’s an accomplishment I’m going to keep with me for the rest of my life,” McCormack said. “I do ’the route’ and you have to go through all five floors [at Avista’s corporate base].”
Programs like these are so important because they allow individuals with IDD to learn skills applicable to their job and perform a job that has a significant impact on the community. Having a job like this empowers individuals with IDD to make decisions for themselves and to be proud of what they do.
Read more about Malachi Chaney here.
Read more about James MCormack here.
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