Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1467917
14 PalletCentral • May-June 2022 palletcentral.com • Teaching life classes on a voluntary basis; • Work with local schools, especially universities and community colleges to allow apprentice-type positions and jobs for the students; • Financial classes and training; and • Business-related workshops and training. One of our current focus areas is through a not-for- profit called Journey. is program has an older motel it has renovated and serves as a home plan for recently paroled or released prison inmates. e idea is that to successfully transition back into society an inmate will need a home plan and a job plan, as well as some additional guidance along the way. e motel serves as housing and the job plan is a job at either McVantage Packaging or other area employers with whom we work closely. rough this effort, we work with the state Pardons and Parole Board to identify possible candidates for Journey, who enter the application process to be approved. e Journey participant is not only provided housing and work, but they will also be counseled and disciplined by Ron Etheridge, the program director. Ron provides daily and weekly follow up with each person and works to help them transition through the one-year program. is program also provides financial, life skills and behavioral classes, in addition to others. Another current project available to all employees is "e Man Church" program that teaches biblical principles of what a man should be through weekly meetings and a 40-week curriculum. In addition, our company President, Eddie Daniel, attends a C-12 Christian Leadership group. is is a monthly business leadership group where members gain insight and wisdom from those who have "been there." Business issues are presented, weighed, and discussed with peers sharing a biblical perspective and common worldview. Some second-level managers have also joined the groups. rough our participation, we engaged a chaplain for use by any employee who needs it. In addition to his other duties, Ron Etheridge serves as our Corporate Chaplain. As he visits all our facilities and interacts with the employees, anyone wanting additional time can request to confidentially discuss whatever is on their minds. In our opinion, this has been a real benefit for our company. It made us more