ORION'S SEPTEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

Through August 2023, Orion has supported over 300 individuals. This exceeds the total number supported in 2022, 2021 and 2020 already. It is exciting to help so many individuals on their paths to good jobs and stable, self-sufficient futures!

Through August, we have supported 83 individuals into jobs with 38 finding employment in June, July, and August. With these great results, we expect to exceed our annual goal of 95!! Their average starting wage was $18.71 per hour.

In our training programs, our skilled mentors complete weekly evaluations on the performance of individuals in the program. This information helps participants identify strengths, determine job goals and address barriers. These amazing staff have completed over 1400 evaluations this year alone!

Congratulations to all the participants who found jobs in the past three months!

BARRIER REDUCTION SUPPORT

Orion’s mission of creating paths to employment requires so much more than the training, education, and mentoring provided to participants. The training and education at the core of our mission can’t happen until the fundamentals of housing, food, clothing, sobriety, and mental health are successfully addressed; a participant’s ability to commit to long-term employment is directly tied to their stability at a basic needs level.

A participant can’t fully engage with training and education, or ultimately employment, if they can’t make it to Orion. If a participant has an unmet physical or mental health need, they may be here—physically, but unable to engage at a level needed to navigate the program. 

Orion’s Training and Employment division helps participants access the help they need, and in many cases, provides direct support in the form of bus passes, gas cards, through essentials in our food and clothing pantry, vouchers for mental health services, and connecting clients to social care resources through state agencies.

For sixty-five years, Orion has served participants by identifying and then addressing their various barriers to employment. And those barriers can present at any point in the process, from assessment through to retention with an employer; a barrier can even reassert itself after years on the job. And if an obstacle does resurface, Orion is there to assist again.

Bobby, Orion Past Participant

BOBBY

We had the opportunity recently to connect with a past program participant who returned after 21 years to tell us about his experience at Orion. Bobby first joined Orion in 2002 after learning about us through a prison work-release program. He came to us looking for a chance to start over. Bobby had been involved with the criminal justice system for most of his life, and decided to make a change after a drug related explosion left him with 3rd degree burns over more than 50% of his body. He was lucky to survive the accident. He said “When I came to Orion I had no job experience, a disability, no work history, 7 felonies, and over 50 arrests. I started stealing when I was 5 years old. With a history like that, your chances of making it out are slim to none. When I would get out of jail, I would just go right back to doing the same old thing.” He had never known a different way of life.

Before being released from prison the last time, he was required to have a job lined up. “When you leave prison, you have to find a job. Who was going to hire me? The jobs I applied for were at companies I used to steal from.” He added, "DSHS [Department of Social Health Services] told me about an unpaid custodial opportunity, or paid manufacturing training at Orion. I chose Orion of course! That's how I found out it was such an amazing organization!" "To be honest, I didn't think anyone could help me back then. Orion assured me that they could, and they did!" Kathy Powers, now VP of Services, was his vocational counselor at that time. Bobby met with Kathy regularly and she helped him take responsibility for his life, guiding him toward good choices, and helping him see his potential. He also worked closely with Richard who is still a mentor at Orion. Bobby believes he owes his success to Kathy and Richard. "They helped me build my confidence and the motivation to overcome all obstacles," he said. “You can make the decision to change your life, but you need people to help you. You can’t do it alone!”

When Bobby was ready to find employment outside Orion, he got his start at a local business and then moved to Schnitzer Steel where he stayed for 18 years. He recently retired and splits his time between Washington and Florida where he owns a second home. Bobby said it best with these words: "You gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I took advantage of it, and I took it all the way. I'm doing better than most...and I want to thank you for the opportunity to go through your program." Bobby is a great example of the power of positivity and perseverance, and we are honored to have helped him recognize his own potential.

Partnering for Possibilities!

13th ANNUAL EMPLOYER EVENT, Nov. 16

Join us for an exciting event, Partnering for Possibilities, where we bring together like-minded individuals to explore new opportunities and foster meaningful connections. We will celebrate and appreciate our existing partners and welcome new businesses to our growing network of collaborators. We invite you to join us.

Date: Thu Nov 16, 2023

Time: 3pm-6pm

Location: Muckleshoot Events Center, 2402 Auburn Way South, Auburn, WA 98002

At Orion, we believe in Partnering for Possibilities through the power of collaboration. This event is a unique opportunity to mingle with industry leaders, small business owners, and professionals from various backgrounds, all under one roof. Whether you're a long-time Orion partner, or you're simply curious about the possibilities that lie ahead, this event is for you.

Please join us to expand your network, gain valuable insights, and be inspired by the stories of those who have turned possibilities into realities. Get answers to all your questions about how a partnership with Orion will help you build a strong workforce and strengthen your business.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Mark your calendars for Partnering for Possibilities and get ready to embark on an exciting journey where you can be a part of providing a brighter future in your community.

Indulge in delectable hors d'oeuvres, beverages, awards, games, and prizes, as we celebrate 13 years of successful partnerships that have created so many possibilities. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tamie at tamie.clark@orionworks.org.

Top: Orion Staff

Bottom: Orion Participant trying out the new machine

Part Mark Perfection!

EMPLOYEES COMMUNITY FUND OF BOEING

Orion's Theory of Change identifies four key areas we seek to impact: We reduce barriers, increase (soft and technical) skills, build self-esteem, and help people gain employment.

In 2022, we supported 280 people in all our programs, and 151 participants across both locations gained experience using a part mark machine as a part of their manufacturing education. This machine is strategically located in our clamp block assembly area and is the first area where participants begin. This area quickly builds our participants' confidence as the clamp blocks, if assembled incorrectly, can be easily rebuilt. Similarly, the parts that require identification (marking) can be cleaned and re-marked if the print is less than perfect. Starting to teach participants in a low-risk area of the shop helps them slowly build their confidence within the environment and with the machinery typically found in manufacturing businesses. It also allows them to experience on-the-job success immediately. Their mentor is close by to offer guidance and assistance if a participant has questions or concerns in this area of our shop.

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing provided a new Videojet part mark machine, selected for its higher quality of ink, low smudge rate, reliability, unrestricted surface compatibility, and ease of overcoating. The Videojet software will show a part in three dimensions, making the part easier for participants to conceptualize in a way that a one-dimensional drawing cannot. All these factors reduce rework and increase the success rate of this training activity for our participants. This recent purchase allows every participant to gain experience using the part mark equipment while remaining near their mentor. Each mentor may instruct up to three participants at a time, but when our current equipment became inoperable, participants could only use this equipment if they went to a different department where we have a second machine. When participants leave the clamp block area to access the second machine, mentors cannot simultaneously supervise their activities and those of their other trainees. The solution was to replace the part mark machine within the clamp block area so mentors can adequately support all the participants in their area.

We want to say thank you to the Employees Community Fund of Boeing for providing the funds to purchase this new equipment. The long term impact of this ECF grant is that approximately 130 participants each year, for many years to come, will have the opportunity to gain experience with this equipment, helping prepare them for manufacturing jobs in the community. 

In a past newsletter, we sent out a request for Jeans and work appropriate clothing, and were impressed when Auburn High School's Team Tread 3219 Robotics Club answered enthusiastically. They collected, sorted and delivered twelve huge bags of clothing so that our participants could access clothing in preparation for training or job interviews. Thank you so much to the team for stocking our clothing pantry!

Get Ready for Giving TOOLSday!

Get ready for the biggest giving day of the year! Giving Tuesday happens right after Thanksgiving (November 28) and marks the beginning of the most generous time of year for many people. At Orion, we call this day Giving Tools-day and encourage you to make a charitable contribution to provide the "tools" a person needs to access a good job. When we think of the tools a person needs to be a great employee, we think of a positive attitude, a commitment to teamwork, clear communication, time management, and character. Every person enrolled in our program will flourish in the workforce with this toolkit for success.

Give kindness, give help, give time, give thanks, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to contribute. Give once, once a month, or give every single Tuesday this year! For more ideas about how you can get involved in giving back, click here and if you're ready to provide the tools that lead to careers, click on the donate button below today.

Janet Z., Orion Mentor

I want to continue to give back to the community!

Janet started her journey with Orion in 2018. She heard about Orion through friends that had gone through the program and saw how much the program helped them. Since she had some gaps in her job history and didn’t have a clear job path, Janet decided to join Orion as a program participant.

After completing the program, Janet secured employment at a local aerospace company. She started in an administrative position and then moved to the shop floor, in part due to her experience in Orion’s manufacturing program. Janet stayed at that company for over 2 ½ years before she decided that she wanted to help people and applied for a staff position at Orion.

As a staff member, Janet started working in Orion’s Shipping & Receiving department and then switched to the Clamp Block area, where she became a mentor. Janet says that being a mentor is her favorite part of her job. “Being able to help people every single day is fulfilling. I get to set an example of what a model employee looks like, and support individuals to identify their strengths as well as address barriers. We help build people up! Sometimes people just need to build their confidence, while others need skills or feedback…we help everyone figure it out.”

When asked about advice she’d give to someone new coming to the program, Janet immediately said, “Stick it out. It is one of the best things that can happen to you…you’ll get out of it what you put in. You’ll gain skills and get help finding a job. It is a great opportunity for success and a new start.” She summed it up best – “We make things happen here. This place is filled with success.”



As for what the future holds for Janet, she was very optimistic noting, “I am stable now and in a position where I can mentor and help people. I’ve gained so many connections and learned so many valuable skills over the years that I can put to good use. I want to continue to give back to the community. I want to see what more I can do.” To hear more of Janet’s story and learn more about Orion, click in the link in the article below.

We make things happen here. This place is filled with success.”



– JANET // ORION MENTOR

Orion Featured on Warm 106.9 Spotlight

WE SPOKE WITH LAURIE HARDIE ABOUT ORION

Orion staff, Kathy Powers, Diane Lyons, Janet Zello and Stephanie Maxwell had the opportunity to tell the community about Orion and explain our programs, our mission, and our manufacturing capabilities. Tune in to hear more!

Representatives from Orion and Aero-Plastics Inc., Russ Nielsen, Mike Barsoski & Mike Brown.

Mike Barsoski, Vice President of Operations at Orion attended the recent Boeing Supplier of the Year award ceremony hosted by Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA). Congratulations to all the 2023 winners.

As a member of the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition, we are looking forward to building partnerships and connections at the upcoming Supply Chain Opportunities Conference on Thursday, September 21st. Orion is happy to offer a tour of our facility and proud to sponsor the Pints and Professionals happy hour at Tapped Public House in Mukilteo prior to the conference on Wednesday, September 20th. We value our membership with PNDC as they seek to strengthen their members by bringing more defense and security contracts to the Pacific Northwest.