ORION'S MARCH 2023 NEWSLETTER

2023 is off to a great start!

ORION IS GETTING A STRONG START TO THE YEAR

We have supported 180 individuals year to date and have assisted 18 individuals into community jobs in the first 2 months of the year! Our average placement wage is $18.33 and tracking upwards.

Our goal is to support individuals to find great jobs that match their skills and abilities, and that offer long term stability and career growth.

A significant part of our training programs are weekly reviews written by our mentors for each participant in our program. Thru February, our mentors completed 335 reviews. Wow!

We welcomed Representative Adam Smith along with the Auburn Chamber to a Business Roundtable.  We also welcomed Representative Rick Larsen in Mukilteo. We enjoy hosting these visits and sharing information about our evidence-based model of employment.



Congratulations to all the participants who found jobs through February!

Anako, Orion Mentor

Being a good mentor requires flexibility!

ANAKO

Anako is an Orion mentor in the Wire Assembly area. She originally came to Orion in 2019, looking for a supportive and friendly workplace. She loves to assemble, build parts, and keep busy, so a job in manufacturing was the right fit for her! Anako stated, “sometimes being a mentor can be stressful because not only are you doing your work, but you are responsible for training participants at the same time.” Anako has learned that being a good Mentor requires flexibility.

She enjoys seeing participants involved and happy and especially loves seeing their confidence grow throughout their program. Her advice to participants? “Bring something to write notes with so you can remember, and it is important to ask questions.” She has also found that “as a mentor, it is okay to ask questions and seek advice and answers from leads.”

Talking with Anako and hearing her positive insight into our work and our mission reassured us that good people are doing good work at Orion! Thank you, Anako, for continuing this journey with us.



“...it is okay to ask questions and seek advice and answers...” 



– ANAKO // ORION MENTOR

Orion CEO, Jerry Chase at PNAA Event

NAVIGATING THE RAMP-UP

Orion attended PNAA Advance 2023 where Orion is a corporate circle sponsor. Jerry Chase sat on the panel of the “Strategies for Success – Navigating the Ramp-up” where he shared Orion’s success story of how we navigated through unprecedented times, and how we are managing the increase in business and growth we will see in 2023.

Our manufacturing business recently won a 2.5 million dollar contract from a large OEM manufacturer! This multi-year contract brings with it more opportunities for program participant training.

Congressman Larsen shaking hands with Mickey, an Orion mentor

Congressman Rick Larsen Visits Orion!

ASKS WHAT BUSINESSES NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

On March 15th, Orion welcomed Rep. Larsen to our Mukilteo facility to discuss the future of our business, our mission, and our community. We took the opportunity to show gratitude for his assistance during the pandemic when he was instrumental in guiding us toward federal relief funding. This funding ensured we would weather the storm when many organizations were struggling to stay afloat.

Rep. Larsen was visiting local businesses to ask what assistance they need to be successful. As he toured Orion, he was reminded of our social mission and the impact that has on the Mukilteo community. Having Orion as an entry point into living wage jobs is crucial to our participants' success and to our community.

A past participant, current employee, and new mentor Mickey, was able to share with Rep. Larsen about his experience in our program and how he got to where he is today. He shared his unique perspective on living with employment barriers and how important Orion is to providing opportunities for people in the community.

Welcome to our newest community partner, Grocery Outlet, for providing meals and snacks for our "Sharing Pantry."

Thank you to MSC Industrial Supply for supporting people with employment barriers on their path to new careers. Orion is honored to accept your Founder's Day gift.

DENIM DONATION!

SPRING is a great time to go through your closets and make room for new fashion, or new sizes! Please consider donating your unwanted jeans to Orion. Orion provides a sharing pantry and clothing room where our participants can access a quick meal or find work appropriate clothing. We are currently seeking all sizes of clean, good condition men's jeans. Donations may be delivered to Orion between 8am and 2pm, Monday through Friday. You may also click the link below to make a tax deductible cash donation to support people on their paths to employment.

NEXT STEPS CLASSES CLOSE THE FEEDBACK LOOP

Taking action to ease the transition to work.

Orion has solicited feedback from participants enrolled in our manufacturing training program to identify how we can improve our program delivery. We received assistance from "Listen4Good" as we implemented the survey and gathered data.

Through these surveys we learned that many participants were nervous about leaving Orion. In response to the survey, we launched a "Next Steps" group to prepare clients for what comes next—employment outside of Orion. "Next Steps" focuses on developing practical skills to secure full-time, competitive employment in the community.

We will conduct "Next steps" sessions in two cohorts; Cohort 1 focuses on newly enrolled participants and features modules addressing negative self-talk, developing skill inventories, drafting an elevator pitch, and budgeting. Cohort 2 supports those participants in or about to begin job development, focusing on self-talk, interviewing, projecting confidence, and moving forward.

"Next Steps" is a work-in-progress and is responsive to participants feedback regarding modules effectiveness. Participants receive job retention services for 90 days after employment to reduce their anxiety around starting a new job. We hope to provide the tools they need to succeed in the competitive workforce.