Peckham Expands Manufacturing in Flint, MI; providing jobs to people with disabilities 

LANSING/FLINT, MI – Peckham, Inc. is expanding its reach to Flint, MI, bringing job opportunities and vocational services to individuals with disabilities living in the greater Flint area.

Peckham’s Flint Township location anticipates providing up to 200 sewing machine operator job opportunities over the next 12 to 18 months for people with a wide range of disabilities. Jobs are full-time with health benefits and start at $10/hour with upward mobility opportunities for increased skill. Additional job opportunities are also available for individuals without disabilities. (Visit www.peckham.org to apply, or Click Here)

“As a community organization with a mission to help those with barriers reach their full potential, it made sense for us to grow our services in Flint, our neighboring community,” said Mitchell Tomlinson, Peckham President & CEO. “Peckham believes in the strong spirit of this community, and we want to collaborate with others who believe in the city’s potential to create more pathways to meaningful employment for this talented workforce.”

“Peckham is an innovative company that has provided great employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “Its investment also will return a large vacant building on Linden Road to productive use. And as an apparel manufacturer, the company’s expansion here shows that our diversification efforts are paying off. This is a win for Flint & Genesee on multiple fronts. We’re pleased to welcome Peckham to our community.”

Peckham is a nonprofit vocational rehabilitation organization that provides paid job training opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. For more than 42 years, Peckham has provided job training and job skills to thousands of individuals with barriers through five different business lines, throughout Michigan, including operations in Phoenix, Arizona and London, Kentucky.

“We are pleased to have Peckham open one of its manufacturing facilities in Flint Township, it’s very exciting, good news. Our focused efforts on economic development is increasing new investment to this area,” says Karyn Miller, Flint Township Supervisor. “Especially exciting is the opportunity for people with a variety of disabilities to secure a good paying job with benefits and excellent training resources. We welcome Peckham to our community and look forward to their grand opening this spring.”

Renovations to the building located on 3080 S. Linden Road in Flint Township’s retail district are expected to begin in February, with expected completion by late spring. With more than 33,000 square feet of manufacturing space, and more than 8,000 square feet of office and classroom space, the renovated facility will feature universal design principles and sustainable elements, reflective of Peckham’s thoughtful design approach at its other locations. It will include flexible office space, an internet café, an on-site wellness center, training rooms and more to create a welcoming and respectful work environment for future clients and staff.

“Having Peckham as a part of the Flint community provides an opportunity for everyone to see what's possible. We all have talent. This is about ability and opportunities for independence for people with and without disabilities,” says Luke Zelley, President/Chief Amazement Officer of The Disability Network. “Inclusive workplaces will help everyone keep the Flint community moving forward,” he said.

Peckham also recently celebrated the first anniversary of the Flint Learning Co-Op, a collaborative effort with Peckham’s Youth Career Academy of Genesee County, and GearUp2Lead program. Through this partnership, Peckham provides a career readiness and skills training program for at-risk youth. The program offers adjudicated youth ages 15 to 18 an opportunity to earn industry credentials, obtain community employment and achieve their academic and vocational goals. To date, the program has served nearly 40 Flint-area youth.

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