I first learned about Nehemiah Manufacturing through a friend and I was really excited when I was invited to take a tour to learn more about the company because of their mission to be a Second Chance Employer. I’m trying to continue to challenge myself to be an educated consumer with my purchases, with what I choose to buy or not buy and from whom I purchase it from.
I joined several local bloggers along with Vince Cincy for a tour that really left an impression on me.
A Second Chance Employer
Nehemiah Manufacturing is located in Cincinnati and is on a mission to build brands, create jobs, and change lives since 2009. They live out that mission in a unique way because the company was founded with the “why” in mind before they had the product.
Dan Meyer CEO and founder wanted to create jobs for those in the inner city who needed it most.
He recognized that there were many barriers that people faced when it came to employment and he wanted to help remove those barriers to help people get a second chance and a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
His passion had us choked up at points which showed his heart is to help transform the city, one person, one day at a time.
“The most productive and most loyal employees are those who needed it the most”
Nehemiah Manufacturing prides itself on working with people that have a difficult time finding employment such as those with:
- Little to no work history
- Criminal backgrounds
- Drug/alcohol issues
This is HUGE because there are so many people who want to find work but are told no because of their history which makes it extremely challenging to start a new life in a positive direction. I know so many friends with family members who could directly benefit from this type of opportunity.
It’s also a positive for parents who have taken a break from employment to help assist in caring for a loved one which has caused a long gap in employment whether they were a stay at home parent, a caregiver for a parent, or suffering from an illness.
Each year roughly 2000 people come out of jail in Cincinnati and if they don’t have a job they are statistically more likely to be incarcerated again.
We got to hear several stories from second chance employees who worked their way up within the company as a result of hard work, someone who believed in them and an opportunity.
Ways that Nehemiah Manufacturing does it different
Nehemiah Manufacturing takes a whole person approach when it comes to their employees. They build their culture from the people up and make leadership hires from within the company.
They continually strive for answers to the questions “What are the needs, how can we help with those needs?.”
They identify barriers that hinder someone from successful employment and build strategies and services to help remove those barriers.
“If you take care of your people, they will take care of your business and your customer “– Dan Meyer CEO
Nehemiah employees have access to an onsite fitness center and a break room that shows that their employees were not an afterthought.
They also support their team members through additional support services such as:
- A Social worker on staff
- Soon-to-open Medical Clinic for team and families
- Back-to-school book bags & school supplies for team member’s families
- Financial help for continuing education for team members
- Cincinnati Bengals Game Day for team members
- Christmas Day with Santa and gifts for team and families
- 75% insurance paid by Nehemiah
- 401K with matching funds
- By working with City Link, City Gospel Mission & More to assist team members
Inspiring Other Businesses to become Second Chance Employers
Because of Nehemiah Manufacturing’s success model more businesses in Cincinnati are now open to intentionally hiring second chance employees which led them to create the Beacon of Hope Business Alliance which means that more companies around Cincinnati will be helping provide jobs for those in need.
“If you think our products are good, our people are even better!”-Dan Meyer CEO
Purchase with a Purpose
When you purchase the following products listed below, you are part of creating jobs and changing lives.
- Downy Ball
- Downy Wrinkle Releaser
- Saline Soothers
- Dreft
- Boogie Wipes
- Kandoo Kids
- Febreeze In-Wash Odor Eliminator
We were given the opportunity to walk the manufacturing floor, listen to second chance stories from employees, and even help on the line. I tried the section of the line where we placed the tops on the bottles and the other section where we twisted them.
The employees keep a quick pace to keep production costs low.
What I respect about Nehemiah Manufacturing is that they intentionally chose to create jobs over automation even though the latter is more cost productive.
Second Chance Stories
After learning the heart and soul of this company, I’m more compelled to purchase their products because I’ve personally met the people that this company is directly impacting and I know that my purchase is helping create second chance stories for those who need it most.
Learn More
You can find out more about Nehemiah Manufacturing from their website.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nehemiah Manufacturing. All opinions are my own.
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