SARAH Crews Keep The Shoreline Sparkling Clean [Video]

At in Old Saybrook, Derek, Donna, Jack and Jennifer keep the facility clean as a whistle. They wipe down the fitness equipment, vacuum and mop the floors and clean the men's and women's locker rooms.

At the Clinton facility, a work crew helps the fitness company with their promotional mailers.

It's a great job for these hard-working folks who are part of the SARAH, Inc. employment services program.

Founded in 1957 by three Guilford families, SARAH provides services and employment opportunities to children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities. They help employ more than 75 special needs individuals in work-crew programs, such as the one at Shoreline Fitness, and more than 35 individuals, also with special needs, who work on their own in the community.

Also in Clinton, and others work at . They work in a clean environment counting out the company's product in lots of 15 pieces. Other crews work for companies such as Honora, Inc. in Old Saybrook and others along the shoreline.

In total, more than 110 workers from SARAH are working locally.

According to Debra Bonner, the direct support professional for the Old Saybrook Shoreline Fitness crew, the four workers put in three hours a day Monday through Friday. They work for two and a half hours performing general cleaning services and take a half-hour lunch.

"They dust, sanitize, vacuum and mop," said Bonner as she directed the two women into the ladies locker room for a final clean sweep of the day.

Club owner Ryan Rothschild said he became aware of the SARAH organization because one of the gym's members is a program manager for the company.

"It's been great," he said. "The work crew has been here about five months. The members of the club enjoy seeing the workers and make them feel a part of the team."

Club manager Joyce Jurgen agreed, adding that the work crew has been a great addition to the gym and that the members "always smile when they see them."

Ask the workers how they feel about their jobs and they all agree they love going to work each day. They each have their favorite task: Donna loves working with soap and water, Derek is awesome with a dust rag, Jack loves to mop, and Jennifer shows the mirrors who's the boss with a bottle of Windex.

Many residents are already familiar with SARAH workers in stores such as Stop & Shop, Wal*Mart, and Big Y, for example. Many others are employed in assembly work, packing, piece work, and as cashiers and clerks. They put labels on bottles, insert pieces into little bags, package materials and clean facilities.

Jen Kostek, program manager at SARAH, staffs the jobs. Jim Lamb, manager of business development, finds the opportunities.

If you are a local employer and are looking for responsible workers, please contact SARAH, Inc.