Mavagi Enterprises looking forward to helping the disabled community

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Mavagi Enterprises hosted a hiring event on Feb. 15 at the Warner Robins Church of Christ.

The hiring event was open to anyone 18 years old or older. Director of Special Projects Bobby Ehrig said their goal was to hire at least 10 to 15 people with disabilities to work on the landscaping at Robins Air Force Base.

Mavagi is a San Antonio, Texas-based nonprofit company that handles lawn work at Robins Air Force Base. Case Manager Teresa Banda said their goal is to hire a workforce of individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans. 

“We like to use the term or word different abilities more so than disabilities because we think that individuals who have these challenges all have unique abilities. Each and every one of us, no matter what our challenges are, we are all capable of doing something,” said Banda.

The event was looking to hire people on-site, and for most of the jobs, entry-level pay is $17.20 an hour. Banda said they offer good benefits for those who work for the company. People could fill out an application online or fill out an application in person. 

After completing the application, they will sit with a case manager in person or virtually with Banda. 

“What that means on my part is just basically talk to them about what challenges they may have and make sure they are able to provide us with the documentation we need for the proper accommodation and support so they can be successful at work,” Banda said.

Their entry-level job involves groundskeeping, but Banda said they also offer different levels. She said they are also hiring tractor drivers and project managers, higher-paying jobs. 

The company started its contract with the base last October, and since then, they have been working hard to spread the word in the community.

“We did like this particular contract very much, so we decided to take it on. We launched it in October, and it has been successful, but we want to make it even better. This new season is kicking off in March and so we really hope to fill all these positions as quickly as possible,” said Banda. 

Ehrig said the job fair also allowed the community to meet them and talk to them about Mavagi. They also encourage people to tell them about challenges affecting people with disabilities, sharing one of their goals is to help them tackle the challenges.

Banda also shares one of the company’s challenges is finding individuals and informing them about Mavagi.

“We can put the word out, we can put news articles out and postings online, but it really comes down to who our partners in the community are. They have to get to know us. They have to know that we are a very supportive employer, we’re going to do our best to support our employees, we are fair,” said Banda.

The company also hosted a meet and greet on Feb. 13, and Banda said she attended virtually from San Antonio. She shared that the event allowed them to meet many community partners and was a success. According to Banda, representatives from the Halo Group, an organization that helps those with developmental disabilities, were present at the event.

Ehrig also said the meet and greet allowed them to meet community leaders and inform them about the company and what they hope to achieve. He said this also let them know that they are here to stay and help the community. 

“We are a nonprofit, but our passion is not just helping people get jobs. First, they have to be meaningful jobs, jobs they want to do, jobs with good pay and benefits, jobs with what we call supportive work environments,” said Ehrig.

According to Banda, the company has been in business for over 20 years. She said it started as an idea to help support people with disabilities; since then, it has grown. 

Part of the company’s goal when moving into a different region is establishing partnerships and friendships with the community. Banda said she has been working hard behind the scenes by reaching out to various agencies and nonprofits that help the disabled community.

Banda hopes the company will serve as a connector for all these organizations and help them reach the same goal. 

As a Case Manager, Banda’s job is to help individuals receive the help and support they need. She said it is her job to see what their disabilities are and work with job coaches and counselors to ensure they have a plan to help them succeed at work.

Banda also helps them work beyond the company. She said if they decide to leave the business and choose another path, she will help them take it on.

“We want these individuals to have aspirations and goals just like everybody else, and so part of my job is to say, ‘Okay, let me help you do that,’ and so I will reach out to the community again and maybe help this individual apply for other jobs or coach them through an interview process because part of my job is to help and individual grow also. If that means leaving Mavagi and doing something better, then I can help them do that too,” Banda said. 

Banda and Ehrig encourage anyone who wants more information to visit https://mavagi.org/. Ehrig also encourages anyone who is interested or has questions to contact him at bobbye@mavagi.org or (210) 982-9609.

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