I was the keynote speaker at the first Annual JVS Chicago Business Lunch for about 300 people at a Chicago Hotel. JVS trains people from many different cultural and economic backgrounds to find meaningful and productive work. They have a focus on people also with disabilities.
Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President at Walgreens was honored at the event. In 2007, he opened a state of the art distribution center in Anderson, SC to accomodate individuals with disabilities. He reports that the center has surpassed productivity at other distribution centers. 40% of its staff are persons with physical or cognitive disabilities. A second center is to be opened next year in Connecticut. 10% of all production jobs in their distribution centers have disabilities.
I was struck with what Randy said at the event, “This is a business, not charity“. Walgreens has shown us how we can make money and do good.
