'National Disability Employment Awareness' proclamation signed

Oct. 22--A proclamation designating October "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" in Harlan County was signed by Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop on Tuesday. Also participating in the event were representatives for SERKI (Southeast Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries), located in Cumberland.

"This program, SERKI, has been a God send to our community because it's very difficult for people with no disabilities to get a job in Harlan County over the last several decades," said Grieshop. "14 years ago when SERKI opened, people with disabilities had a chance to earn a living and put out a quality product mainly for the federal government- military. It's a good thing for the county and SERKI. We all win and the government wins with a quality product from this region."

SERKI, in Cumberland, employs 120 people with 75 percent of those employees being disabled.

"We are currently manufacturing U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine and U.S. Army combat shirts," said plant manager Larry Franks. "We have four more plants operating in Corbin, Jellico, Tenn. and in Paris."

SEKRI is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to provide qualified personnel, facilities and related services for persons with disabilities, enabling them to obtain and to be successful in maintaining competitive employment.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or on Twitter @Nola_hde

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