Brooklyn's Progress
June 2001

Good Help, the free employment service operated by the Brooklyn Chamber Commerce recently placed its 400th employee. On April 30, 2000, Xavier Pacheco was hired by Imprint Cartridge Works, as a Team Leader. Mr. Pacheco was referred to Good Help by Curtis & Associates. Both Imprint and Curtis are Chamber members. Good Help was started in 1998 by the Chamber to assist small businesses in Brooklyn to find, hire and retain qualified workers. Since that time over 120 businesses throughout Brooklyn have hired new employees referred by Good Help. These include a variety of clerical workers as well as truck drivers, warehouse workers, maintenance workers, mechanics, messengers etc. Candidates come to Good Help from a network of non-profit training and placement agencies, schools, elected officials and government agencies. Potential candidates are assessed by Good Help’s staff to determine job- readiness and skill levels. Only those that meet Good Help’s standards are referred to employers. This saves an employer time and money since they do not have to see inappropriate individuals. Imprint Cartridge Works is a start-up business located in Bushwick. They remanufacture toner cartridges for laser printers. They are a subsidiary of Work 101, a non-profit organization that provides training, supportive services and employment for disadvantaged men and women. They will learn how to resolve and deal with real life on and off the job issues. Participation in Work 101 can last for anywhere between 6-18 months. Employees at Imprint will work full time in the factory and attend Work 101 seminars after hours. Upon completing the program, the employees will be ready to move onto higher paying, better jobs, and retain them. Mike Rosenthal, Director of Good Help stated, “We believe strongly in the work that Imprint and Work 101 are doing. When the participants are ready to move on we will make every effort to help them.” In April 2001, Imprint began the process of putting together a staff. President Ethan Wohl and General Manager Richard Werber contacted Good Help for assistance. They needed supervisors who could balance running a profitable company, and have the compassion to work with employees who come with little or no work experience, and other issues that have held them back in the past. In addition, Imprint is committed to hiring from within the local community. Curtis & Associates was founded in 1985 and offers a wide range of employment related services. As a member of Good Help’s provider network they help pre-screen candidates for referral. Client Relations Consultant for Curtis, Anthony Severo reviewed their clients, and based on Imprint’s needs, referred Xavier Pacheco as an appropriate candidate. On learning that Pacheco was the 400th placement for Good Help, Severo stated. “We are very happy to work with the Brooklyn Chamber, and Good Help. This partnership is a winning one for all. Particularly for Mr. Pacheco who now has a good job with a future.” After assessing Mr. Pacheco he was referred to Imprint for consideration. Good help Director Mike Rosenthal believed Mr. Pacheco was an ideal candidate for Imprint, “He was experienced in assembly line supervision, had an outgoing personality, and he lived in Bushwick.” After an interview, Imprint’s Richard Werber and Ethan Wohl offered him the position, which Mr. Pacheco gratefully accepted. Werber was very impressed with Pacheco’s enthusiasm, “We believe Xavier will fit in very well in the environment Imprint and Work 101 is trying to foster. We are very pleased with Good Help’s ability to refer such an appropriate person to us.” Good Help continues to work with its client companies to meet their employment needs. If you need new, qualified employees, contact Good Help at the Chamber office 718 875-1000 ext 118, or on line at www.ibrooklyn.com.