Long Time Starlight Workshop Employees Recognized

  • By Teri Stein
  • March 11, 2013
  • 344
                        
Summary: This March, in celebration of what can be accomplished by individuals who have developmental disabilities, two workers at Starlight Workshop are being recognized for nearly 89 years of combined service on the job. Starlight Workshop has been through a lot of changes over the years and workers Tom Ernest and Jennifer George have been through all of them. For workers with developmental disabilities having work to do and receiving a paycheck is an important part of life. Tom, son of the late Dale and Elizabeth Ernest, has been on the job at Starlight Workshop since Sept. 4, 1968. Jennifer is the daughter of the late Don and Helen George; she started at the workshop on Sept. 3, 1969. The individuals at Starlight Workshop do a variety of subcontract work, including mailing, packaging, and assembling for area companies. They also produce and sell art. In the late 1960’s, the workshop was located in Stone Creek, it then moved in 1972 to a building which housed Starlight School on one side and the workshop on the other. In 1979, the workshop moved to a new building of its own located at 638 Commercial Avenue in New Philadelphia. Tom’s accomplishments are remarkable, born with multiple health issues, the 67 year old was not expected to live past the age of eight, but the dedicated care provided by his parents and now his sister, Barbara, have kept Tom enjoying life. “I give a lot of credit to my parents and the workshop because he always enjoys going to work,” said Barbara Ernest who moved from North Canton to care for her brother after their parents died. “My parents gave him very good care. I kept the same routine as mother did. I ultimately chose to move into the family home instead of moving Tom into my home and having him attend a different workshop. It was the right decision.” Tom’s supervisors at the workshop, Terri Crites and Mark Cropper, report that he likes to work and enjoys working more than anything else. Tom uses the money from his paychecks to donate to his church, purchase coffee at work, and meals out. “He likes getting a paycheck and reminds me when it’s payday. He likes to go to the bank and cash his check,” said Barbara. Tom has been with the Starlight program since its inception. His parents were among the founding members of the program in 1954; Starlight School opened in 1955. “He’s always a happy and agreeable person. He likes other people and likes to be out with others,” said Barbara. Tom’s parents started when he was a child taking him everywhere with them whenever they could. “They always had him with them.” Like anyone else with a successful life, Tom has a number of things he enjoys doing each week. “He enjoys attending church and getting dressed up to go to church. He likes the atmosphere and the music. People fuss over him, everybody says hi to him and he likes to shake hands,” said Barbara. He also enjoys eating out for breakfast every Saturday. At home Tom likes to watch the old cowboy shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, and Hopalong Cassidy. Jennifer George recalled when her family moved to Tuscarawas County. “We came here from Barberton, Ohio; they didn’t have a workshop there.” When she began at the workshop, Jennifer made a lot of friends. “When I first started it was just like a family.” Jennifer still has some of the same friends today although some no longer work at the workshop. Jennifer’s parents were also very active in the Starlight program. “My Dad was on the Starlight board and on the board for the Ruth Carlson Starlight Foundation for a long time,” she said. Jennifer enjoys working with the many friends she’s made in her department. Jennifer’s favorite jobs involve packaging products. “Everyone is nice to work with in my department.” She likes to spend her money on gifts for her nieces, doing crafts, and eating out at one of her favorite restaurants. Jennifer attends the Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia and on Sunday evenings also attends Dover Alliance church with a friend. For more information on TCBDD services visit www.tuscbdd.org.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load