WGN News Spotlights The Bazaar & Bargains in a Box for Successfully Creating Job Pathways for Those Who Rarely Find Them
Feb 14th 2022
In early February, WGN Morning News visited The Bazaar’s retail store Bargains in a Box to take a look at ways the company is creating career opportunities for people who society often overlooks — including people with disabilities, second chance and formerly incarcerated individuals, those who have experienced homelessness, and veterans.
Watch the segment below or on WGN TV’s website.
WGN TV: River Grove store aims to help local residents find employment
RIVER GROVE, Ill. — A local family-owned company is hiring people who may have a hard time getting employed.
Bargains in a Box has an inclusive hiring policy which helps people find a job.
Saturday was Employee Appreciation Day at Bargains in a Box which means half off everything for employees.Valuing employees means giving them opportunities and treating them with respect.
The company seeks out potential employees who may have difficulty finding employment such as people who are disabled, veterans, and those who have just been released from prison.
If you have visited any of the four Chicago area discount stores, you may have seen Walter Johnson, the community manager. Johnson uses a wheelchair and says it’s not fair that only some people get a chance to work. Johnson joined Bargains in a Box about a year ago.
Bargains in a Box tries its best to find a place for people in need of employment.
"About eight years ago, we started building internships for kids with disabilities and that program has evolved to now 35% of our entire team,” said Brad Nardick, CEO of Bargains In A Box and The Bazaar Inc. |
“Our people have come from inclusive hiring partners throughout the city. We work with different populations of people — some people with disabilities, some people who are returning citizens where they have just got out of prison, and injured veterans.”
The company’s community manager Walter Johnson says:“I went on different recruiting website to findemployment but each and every person, or company —and as soon as they found out about the wheelchair aspect — it was like, ‘oh well… we can’t…”![]() “Part of what has gone wrong in corporate America is that we look for reasons to eliminate people — and here (at The Bazaar, Inc and Bargains In A Box), what we believe in is finding people’s strengths, putting our employees in a position to win and better their standing, and giving them meaningful job experience.” “We are an Open Door.” Bargains In A Box Vice President Carla Arias told WGN: “It enriches everyone’s lives and everyone needs a chance. Everyone needs a chance to learn new skills. Everyone needs a chance to make money. I really believe that is one of the main drivers for all of us. Johnson adds: “The fact that I found a place that this is something they do, and I’m comfortable every single day. I wake up to come here.” |
For help on finding employment visit this job board or visit bargainsinaboxstores.com.