LONGVIEW (KYTX) -- One out of every four people in Gregg County is affected, in some way, with a physical or mental disability. That's why Longview businesses and agencies are working together to help provide more support for people with disabilities. CBS 19's Abby Broyles shows us how.
They call themselves the AIM group, short for awareness, inspiration and motivation.
It's a new partnership between local businesses, the east Texas center for independent living, the aging and disability resource center and the arc of Gregg county.
"We have a lot of resources, just not a lot of knowledge of those resources," Kelley Ham, with the ARC of Gregg County said.
Kelley Ham runs the Downtown Coffee Shop, where every employee has a mental or physical disability.
"Everything that's needed for the coffee shop, the individuals are a part of that," Ham said.
For four years now, Pam Ashley has been serving up espresso at the coffee shop downtown. She enjoys coming to work everyday, and she's great at her job.
"People come in here and they give you a smile," Ashley said.
But like many people with disabilities, Pam had trouble finding work. That's the goal of the new AIM group: helping people with disabilities find jobs, also housing and transportation.
AIM director Karen holt says by joining forces and meeting each month, they can help more people with their specific needs.
"Find that help with an organization that could maybe help them with ramps at their home or help with repairs if they live on their own," Holt said.
The AIM group will meet the third Tuesday every month. Next month's guest speaker will explain new changes to Medicaid. Local businesses are encouraged to join in the meetings and learn how they can benefit by hiring people with disabilities.
For more information, call (903) 241-6021.
