Fresno County supervisors recognized Pleasant Mattress on Tuesday for hiring practices that have helped dozens on county assistance programs.

The New Employment Opportunities program, run through the Department of Social Services and the Fresno County Economic Development Corp., helps find employment for people on CalWorks or other welfare programs.

Participating employers can receive wage reimbursement for the first few months while people get training.

For Pleasant Mattress, that has meant 32 of its employees working as truck drivers, on the assembly line, or at a variety of other jobs, said human resources manager Kathi McIntyre.

“Getting back in the workforce, being a productive member of society, getting up and having a purpose everyday is really important to people,” McIntyre. “For their kids too, coming home and talking about their day is really fulfilling.”

Welfare Recipients Getting Employment Starts/Restarts

Located in southwest Fresno, Pleasant Mattress has been in business for more than 60 years, and it is in the third generation of ownership, McIntyre said.

From the building in the back where springs are made to the quilting machines stitching designs into fabric, all mattresses “are truly made from scratch,” she said.

Right now, they have six people from the NEO program. Others move into higher positions or even start their own businesses.

“We have a couple of our employees who have moved on to bigger, better things,” McIntyre told GV Wire. “We had a truck driver start his own truck driving company. We’re just really helping our community by promoting people.”

NEO Program Has Helped 2,500 People Find Employment

For the first three months of employment, Fresno County covers wages for workers. Following that, 75% of wages are covered for the next three months.

The EDC helps match companies with workers based on skills, said EDC president Will Oliver. The website Ready2Hire.org helps connect workers with employers.

Local manufacturers, offices, and retailers participate in the program, covering a wide range of jobs, Oliver said.

Since the program’s inception in 2015, companies have hired about 2,500 people. These firms have received $25 million in reimbursed wages, Oliver said.

“When companies hire from this program, they not only access skilled talent but also receive wage reimbursements that serve as an incentive and a source of working capital to support their companies,” Oliver said.