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Disabled Workers Learn Job Skills, Help Keep Pitzer Clean
The Pitzer College facilities department is getting a helping hand these days -- and giving one at the same time.
For the past two years, workers with disabilities from Casa Colina -- and more recently, from the L.A. County Work Ability program -- have helped Pitzer's facilities staff keep our campus clean. The workers assist in many ways: dumping trash cans and ash trays; removing cobwebs, gum and graffiti; cleaning carpets and windows in Mead Hall; and pressure-washing paved areas, including Gold patio and entrances to the buildings.
The Casa Colina workers are supervised by program staff and paid by the College. Pitzer's facilities staff supervises workers from the County program, so their services are free to the College. Both programs offer people with disabilities a chance to learn the basic skills needed to get a job.
"We look at it as a win-win situation," says Jim Gates, director of facilities at Pitzer. "It allows us to do more things and get more things done. It's a good resource and it helps [the program participants] because they're in an environment where they can see they're appreciated."
Esther Sawyer, 30, gets up at five every morning. She travels from Azusa to Claremont, then, along with others from Casa Colina, helps clean up Pitzer from 6:30 to 10:45 a.m., Monday through Friday. She says she's gotten used to waking early by going to bed by 9:30 each night. "When you guys are off partying, I'm in bed," she says with a laugh.
Sawyer, who has worked at Pitzer since last October, most enjoys "meeting all the different types of people" at the College. Among her many duties, she dusts, picks up and dumps trash, removes gum, and cleans tables -- taking great pride in her work. "I make sure every single table is nice and neat," she says.
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