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Contact: Nicole Ducouer

nducouer@ifbsolutions.org, M (304) 685-2393

IFB Solutions EARNS 14^TH NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AWARD

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (Oct. 14, 2020) – Local nonprofit IFB Solutions was honored with the 2019 Employment Growth Award for its efforts to increase employment retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind. This is the 14^th award for IFB Solutions, which is presented by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) to recognize agencies who are increasing employment and economic opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

During its fiscal year 2019, IFB Solutions added nearly 42,000 hours of employment and hired almost 100 people who are blind. Deemed an essential business by the Dept. of Defense, the nonprofit kept most of its operations running even as the pandemic continued. IFB Solutions also earned new business by producing masks for the U.S. Air Force and supported hundreds of employees who could not work through its innovative People First Fund. Across its three locations in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., IFB Solutions employs nearly 500 people who are blind or visually impaired, making it the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country.

“These jobs are truly changing the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired,” said David Horton, IFB Solutions President and CEO. “Many of our almost 100 new hires were individuals who relocated to Winston-Salem because they could not find jobs in their own communities. And for nearly one-third of our total workforce, IFB is their first job opportunity.”

The organization’s growth also afforded them the opportunity to invest time and money into the next generation of America’s workforce. The IFB Solutions Student Enrichment Program (S.E.E.) continues to serve children who are blind or visually impaired through after-school programs and summer camps.

Many of these programs are now delivered in new formats so the children don’t miss out on important opportunities to develop independent living, orientation & mobility and socialization skills.

“I can’t wait to see what the next generation will do—who knows, maybe one of these children will sit in my seat someday,” said Horton.

According to NIB, 70 percent of working-age adults who are blind are not employed. The success of agencies like IFB Solutions in creating and sustaining employment for people who are blind is key to changing this statistic.

“IFB Solutions is doing an outstanding job of creating U.S.-based career opportunities for people who are blind,” said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. “This is a great example of the unlimited capabilities of people who are blind working across the country.”

IFB Solutions’ local footprint in Winston-Salem includes large-scale manufacturing operations, a comprehensive optical lab, Community Low Vision Center and Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse which houses its S.E.E. programs for children in grades K-12.

“Our mission is to provide opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired in need of training, employment and services,” said Horton. “Everything we do is guided by our belief that all people who are blind or visually impaired have the right to succeed in every area of life.”

About IFB Solutions (IFB)

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org

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As the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country, IFB Solutions understands the vital importance of consistent and safe lighting for its employees. A grant from The Cannon Foundation, based in Concord, N.C., is making this possible with a $50,000 grant to convert IFB’s manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville, N.C. to all LED lighting. Combined, the two facilities employ 685 people and cover a total 183,000 square feet.

“Consistent lighting on the production floor is critical to our employees, many of whom have light perception sensitivities,” said David Horton, President & CEO of IFB Solutions. “We’re incredibly grateful to The Cannon Foundation for this generous grant that enables all of our production areas to maintain the same level of light across every work area. It’s a huge benefit to our employees and to our organization.”

The nonprofit also expects to realize significant energy savings from the use of LED lighting, monies which then can be invested back into programs and services such as IFB’s Community Low Vision Centers and S.E.E. children’s programs. IFB Solutions has already converted to LED lighting at its manufacturing facility in Little Rock, Ark. and distribution center in Clemmons, N.C. IFB Solutions worked with Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) based in Asheville, N.C. to identify cost-effective energy and environmental management opportunities like the conversion to LED lighting.

“The cost-savings generated by the move to LED lighting could not come at a more important time as we bear the financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Horton. “IFB Solutions has been designated an essential business by the Department of Defense, and our operations have remained open. To assist employees unable to come to work because of the virus we’ve established our People First Fund which has helped nearly 500 employees.”

ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org.

ABOUT THE CANNON FOUNDATION

The Cannon Foundation was formed in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, chairman and president of the Cannon Mills Company. The Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding primarily capital and infrastructure projects for organizations across the state of North Carolina. To date, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $305 million.

Leaders at IFB Solutions are showing their support for IFB employee Alanna Richardson and her husband by helping provide some “sweat equity” hours during her home’s wall build. Working at a social distance at Habitat’s Construction Technology Center, the team will help construct the walls that will later be transported to the Richardson home site.

Alanna, who is blind, has worked at IFB Solutions since 2015. She and her husband have long dreamed of owning their own home. Earlier this year, they applied for and were accepted into Habitat’s “Homeowners in Progress” program which requires 300-400 “sweat equity” hours through volunteer hours at Habitat before they can purchase a home. Additionally, Alanna and her husband attended a series of classes about subjects such as homeownership, maintenance, and financial management.

George Redd, Habitat for Humanity director of program services, said materials about the Habitat program were provided to Alanna in Braille. Habitat staff members read the class materials aloud to a recorder. After listening to the recordings, Alanna was given oral tests on the material. “Alanna was wonderful to work with because of her outgoing personality,” Redd said. “It was important to us to adapt our program so she could be successful and also pave the way for other future homeowners who may be blind or visually impaired.”

“Our mission at IFB Solutions is to help people who are blind or visually impaired live full and independent lives through employment, training and services,” said IFB Solutions President and CEO David Horton. “What better way to live out this mission than by joining Alanna and her husband as they realize their dream of homeownership through this fantastic program at Habitat for Humanity.”

ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County works to eliminate substandard housing and revitalize   communities through new construction, renovations and repairs to single-family homes. Families accepted into the program perform 300-400 hours of “sweat equity,” including working on the homes of other families and their own, and complete a series of classes about topics such as financial literacy and home maintenance. They purchase the home from Habitat through a low-interest mortgage, and their payments help fund future houses for more homeowners. Habitat’s repair program makes critical repairs and aging-in-place modifications to existing homeowners in its target neighborhoods.

Since its founding in 1985, Habitat Forsyth has built, renovated or repaired 500 homes. More information about Habitat is available at habitatforsyth.org.