Company gives workers rare second chance
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SEATTLE -- Pioneer Human Services' warehouse in the city's southside is usually buzzing with activity as its workers handle steady contracts from big companies like Made In Washington, Sasquatch Books and Nintendo.
The warehouse packages and ships a variety of products, including the Nintendo Wii Zapper.
But the warehouse provides more than just packaging services for a jumble of products; it provides rare opportunities for its workers, many of whom may be out of options otherwise.
Pioneer Human Services hires those who have a hard time getting ahead in the professional world. Its work force includes work-release inmates an ex-convicts, recovering addicts, people with mental health issues and immigrants who don't speak English.
"I'm a nine-time loser in prison. You know, nobody wanted to give me a chance," said Don Owens, an employee.
"I went out for two weeks straight, hitting the bricks. I had a hard time finding a job with my criminal history," said Jonathan Brown, another employee.
Owens and Brown said their prison record kept potential employers from giving them a fair shake for a fresh start. They thought their luck had run out for good, until they found Pioneer.
"And they don't care what background you're from," Owens said.
David Lawson of Pioneer Human Services said everyone gets a shot at success, regardless of basic skills or background.
"They've made poor choices in life or they don't have the education required, and hopefully this gives them a chance," he said.
Pioneer also offers its workers English and math classes, as well as other job training and certifications to gear workers for their next step.
"We have a lot of very good work ethics here and I think that helps rub off on people who may have a little different background," said Lawson.
And workers seem to agree that Pioneer has given them much more than most.
Minh Luu speaks Vietnamese. She's been living in the U.S. for the past seven years and is working to learn English. For now, another Vietnamese woman who works at Pioneer serves as her interpreter.
"The owner is good. I like," Luu said.
"You know after 30 years in crime and drugs and beating my head against the wall, you know the light was finally turned on for me and I think things are going to go my way now," Owens said. "I thank the Lord for this place you know it's helped me out a lot. I looked everywhere you know, and nobody wanted to give me another chance."
"Well, I'm going to stay here as long as possible and if anything, this is good for a job reference," Brown said.
Pioneer began its mission back in the early 1960s. To learn more about the company, visit the Web site.
The warehouse packages and ships a variety of products, including the Nintendo Wii Zapper.
But the warehouse provides more than just packaging services for a jumble of products; it provides rare opportunities for its workers, many of whom may be out of options otherwise.
Pioneer Human Services hires those who have a hard time getting ahead in the professional world. Its work force includes work-release inmates an ex-convicts, recovering addicts, people with mental health issues and immigrants who don't speak English.
"I'm a nine-time loser in prison. You know, nobody wanted to give me a chance," said Don Owens, an employee.
"I went out for two weeks straight, hitting the bricks. I had a hard time finding a job with my criminal history," said Jonathan Brown, another employee.
Owens and Brown said their prison record kept potential employers from giving them a fair shake for a fresh start. They thought their luck had run out for good, until they found Pioneer.
"And they don't care what background you're from," Owens said.
David Lawson of Pioneer Human Services said everyone gets a shot at success, regardless of basic skills or background.
"They've made poor choices in life or they don't have the education required, and hopefully this gives them a chance," he said.
Pioneer also offers its workers English and math classes, as well as other job training and certifications to gear workers for their next step.
"We have a lot of very good work ethics here and I think that helps rub off on people who may have a little different background," said Lawson.
And workers seem to agree that Pioneer has given them much more than most.
Minh Luu speaks Vietnamese. She's been living in the U.S. for the past seven years and is working to learn English. For now, another Vietnamese woman who works at Pioneer serves as her interpreter.
"The owner is good. I like," Luu said.
"You know after 30 years in crime and drugs and beating my head against the wall, you know the light was finally turned on for me and I think things are going to go my way now," Owens said. "I thank the Lord for this place you know it's helped me out a lot. I looked everywhere you know, and nobody wanted to give me another chance."
"Well, I'm going to stay here as long as possible and if anything, this is good for a job reference," Brown said.
Pioneer began its mission back in the early 1960s. To learn more about the company, visit the Web site.
