Eaglevision Recently Recognized!
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Dream Cones and DreamWorks!
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Employment & Training for Vets!
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Dream Cones & DreamWorks Open
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Mentors needed for Youth Program!
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Eaglevision Recently Recognized in the Media!

Eaglevision Recognized by LSJ for Creating Job:
Eaglevision was recognized by LSJ on front page of August 22, 2011 newspaper in an article titled “Faith-based nonprofit helps land jobs -Programs aid displaced workers, ex-offenders, dropouts (Written by Melissa Domsic).”  The article praised and explained how Eaglevision is working out-of-the-box to put unemployed men, women, and youth back to work.  Participants have impressed both the customers they serve in the businesses they work and have developed strong partnerships with local businesses. Click here to read more about LSJ's recognition of EVM.

Photo seen above: The crew from DreamWorks Detailing clean and detail a truck recently at the business in Lansing. Workers (from left to right) are Victor Penman and Shaun Cook. / ROD SANFORD/Lansing State Journal

Written by Melissa Domsic mdomsic@lsj.com

Craig Farmer feels blessed. After being out of the workforce for six years, he now has a job, a regular paycheck and, most important, a reason for hope.

His employer: a startup initially funded by the CEO of a faith-based nonprofit group.

"It gave me responsibility and that's what I lacked," said Farmer, who was recently released from prison. "Just the fact that they put that trust in me, it makes me feel good." Farmer, 42, of Lansing, is among six men who recently landed jobs working for DreamWorks Detailing.

The auto detail shop is a new venture started by Eaglevision Ministries Inc., a faith-based workforce development agency that offers several programs to help job seekers - including ex-offenders, high school dropouts, veterans with legal problems and displaced workers - overcome barriers to employment.

The Lansing-based organization wanted to provide more job opportunities in an environment where it could monitor workers and help train them, said CEO LaClaire Bouknight.
"People are desperate for jobs," she said. "We went into desperation mode and stepped up."

Eaglevision worked with its job seekers to open DreamWorks Detailing at 2200 S. Cedar Street in Lansing in late July. By the end of this month, it also plans to open Dream Cones and Deli nearby at 2124 S. Cedar St. Five or six people will work at the 600-square-foot ice cream shop and deli with outdoor seating.

The organization applied for a grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation to help with the ventures but didn't receive funding.

Personal investment
But Bouknight didn't let that stop her. She dipped into her personal savings to help pay for the project, which required at least $30,000 in startup costs. Most of that covered equipment for the ice cream machines at Dream Cones."It's an investment in people getting a job," she said.

Eaglevision had a $1.6 million budget for 2009, according to federal filings. But much of the grant money it receives goes to specific projects and couldn't be used for other purposes.

Employees had to fill out applications, submit resumes and cover letters, interview and pass drug tests. They earn $8 to $11 per hour. "I'm not hiring anyone on minimum wage because you can't live on it," Bouknight said. Michigan's minimum wage is $7.40 per hour. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

DreamWorks employee Vic Penman said he was grateful to earn "a decent wage" after being laid off from Heart Truss & Engineering in Lansing in October 2010. "That's the blessing in working with these people," said Penman, 38, of Lansing. "They really have the heart to do the right thing concerning people when normal society would not."

40 interviewed
Eaglevision interviewed about 40 people for the six jobs at DreamWorks, said Tony Woods, who runs the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative for Eaglevision.

Woods said he expects employees to work for about 90 to 100 days before moving on to more permanent positions somewhere else or starting their own business.

Ingham Regional Medical Center takes its courier vans to DreamWorks for detailing. Mike Prochnow, materials operations manager for the Lansing hospital, said he didn't realize at first Eaglevision was behind the venture. "I think it's fantastic that they're giving folks the opportunity," he said. Prochnow said he's pleased with the quality and price of the services.

Woods said he hasn't received any negative comments from customers. "I understand that certain perceptions will never go away. We're encouraging the community to support individuals who are trying to do their best," Woods said. "It's not just an agency project, but it's a community support system we're trying to establish."

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