At first glance, the large warehouse at 18805 80th Place S. in Kent looks like any other industrial building: a high-roofed metal shell full of stacked boxes, forklifts and an assembly line.<\/p>\n
But since Pioneer Distribution Services moved into the space in January, the warehouse has become more than just that \u2014 now it\u2019s a venue for second chances.<\/p>\n
Take Lacie Parrino, for example. Parrino, 49, started working for Pioneer Distribution more than 10 years ago, as part of a work-release program at the Washington Corrections Center for Women near Gig Harbor.<\/p>\n
PDS hired her straight out of prison, and Parrino\u2019s been with the company ever since. Now she works as customer-service supervisor at the distribution center.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy life began at 40,\u201d she said Monday during a break from work, giving credit to Pioneer for helping her start over upon her release from prison.<\/p>\n
Parrino\u2019s story dovetails neatly with the goals of the nonprofit entity.<\/p>\n
The company makes a point of hiring employees who might not get a second glance from mainstream employers \u2014 convicts coming out of prison, former drug and alcohol addicts, and immigrants speaking little to no English.<\/p>\n
Pioneer Distribution Services also helps fund an array of social services aimed at helping those same groups of people.<\/p>\n
It can offer those benefits through its parent organization, Pioneer Human Services, a self-funded nonprofit organization headquartered in Seattle.<\/p>\n
Pioneer Human Services operates transitional and permanent low-income housing facilities in Seattle and Tacoma, as well as offering treatment for chemical dependency and mental-health problems, job training and community re-entry services.<\/p>\n
Through Pioneer Enterprises \u2014 another branch through PHS which includes the distribution center and several other business ventures \u2014 the organization provides its clientele a way to get back on their own feet, earn money and learn marketable job skills.<\/p>\n
Pioneer Distribution Services employs full-time and temporary workers to move and package shipments of goods such as Nintendo Wii zappers, \u201cJiggly Gem\u201d science kits and Northwave sports gear.<\/p>\n
The number of employees varies seasonally from about 70, at present, to more than 200 during the Christmas sales rush, according to David Lawson, director of Pioneer Distribution Services.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of getting them back into society is getting them to work eight hours a day (and) show up on time,\u201d Lawson said. \u201cIf (someone) shows improvement here, we can offer them other opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawson led a tour of the facility for city officials and residents during an open house March 19.<\/p>\n
At the distribution center, Pioneer offers mainly entry-level posts, but the organization also operates more specialized businesses: a sheet-metal manufacturing business, a construction company, a wholesale food-distribution service, and catering and caf\u00e9 businesses.<\/p>\n
Employees who excel in the Kent facility often go on to higher-level jobs at one of Pioneer\u2019s other businesses.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, all people need is the chance to turn over a new leaf, and show that they\u2019ve changed.<\/p>\n
Sunny Sweet, Parrino\u2019s office assistant, has firsthand knowledge about that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made a huge difference to be treated as a person, and to be taken at face value and given a chance,\u201d said Sweet, 38, who started working for Pioneer Distribution four months ago as part of a work-release program.<\/p>\n
Sweet is currently living in a Pioneer-owned transitional housing complex in Seattle. That, too, made a big difference for her, she said, since many apartment managers won\u2019t take in an ex-convict. She said she\u2019s relishing having her own place for the first time in her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cPioneer has made a big difference for me; I would have had a much harder time otherwise,\u201d she said, adding that, at Pioneer, \u201cpeople don\u2019t judge me based on my criminal record. They\u2019re looking at what I do every day, … and that\u2019s what they judge me on, not my past mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parrino seconded that sentiment. \u201cI like our mission,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s all about helping someone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contact Christine Shultz at 253-872-6600, ext. 5056, or e-mail cshultz@reporternewspapers.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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