The United States Senate
Apr 4, 2005
Section 34
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In This Section...
 | Sen. Allen [R-VA]: Mr. President, today I would like to recognize Friendship Industries, of Harrisonburg, VA, for 40 years of service to persons with disabilities in Harrisonburg City... |
Record Text
Sen. George Allen [R-VA]:
Mr. President, today I would like to recognize Friendship Industries, of Harrisonburg, VA, for 40 years of service to persons with disabilities in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County.
Friendship Industries has been a pioneer in the community since its inception. The mission of the nonprofit social service agency is to develop and maintain employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities. Clients of the agency begin with a program called Work Adjustment. This program assists trainees with disabilities in their adjustment to a real work environment occurring within a supportive and sheltered atmosphere. The individual learns appropriate work behaviors and skills while developing the highest productivity internally as a sheltered employee, and sometimes gets placed into competitive or supported jobs in the community.
Friendship Industries started with 8 young men with mental retardation and has since grown to provide services for over 120 men and women with differing degrees of mental retardation, mental illness, and/or physical illness. The agency's financial contribution to the community has increased as well. Starting with a mere $20,000, the budget of Friendship Industries now approaches $4 million. It employs 20 staff to run the program, and contributes over $3.6 million to the Harrisonburg area through wages, contract services and job training and services.
Mr. David Flick, president of Friendship Industries since 1976, has been instrumental in the growth and success of the program. With his leadership, the agency has expanded the access and breadth of the program by providing transportation to interested trainees and by forming a network of friendly area companies. I commend David for his unwavering support and passion for helping the disabled get back to work in the Shenandoah Valley.
I congratulate Friendship Industries on 40 years of dedication to improving the lives of persons with disabilities, and wish them continued success for many more years.
