This is how the work day gets started at Every Citizen Has Opportunities (ECHO), a nonprofit that links adults who have disabilities with jobs: More than half of the 200 participants head out for work in the community, others staff three businesses operating inside the large ECHO headquarters near Leesburg, Virginia.
Michael Doolin has earned a paycheck there for two decades. He’s helping in-house, but much of the year he’s on a landscaping crew at the FAA.
“I like to have a steady routine, know what I’m doing,” he said. “People have told me I wouldn’t hold a job. I’ve proved them all wrong.”
It’s been a banner year for ECHO, which started in 1975 with five participants and one van. It’s celebrating its 50th anniversary and a big honor — being named by the Loudoun Chamber as the Small Business of the year.
“It’s really a testament to the community where in Loudoun the non-profit world is really, truly embraced as a part of the business community, as it should be,” said Todd Goldien, the ECHO director of development.
ECHO not only provides transportation to off-site jobs, but every participant gets door to door service, picked up in the morning and dropped off after work.
“Roughly about 34,000 miles a month with all our vehicles,” said Kinta Carter, who heads the transportation program. He says he loves ECHO’s mission.
“They put a smile on my face every day and just knowing we’re able to help individuals live life to the fullest and accomplish goals they want to achieve,” Carter said.
ECHO’s participants come from Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. Most of their products are available online.
There was a time when all the work was at outside businesses, but Covid-19 forced a pivot — ECHO started three of its own businesses: Inclusive Solutions does jobs for outside companies like assembling these boxes Echo Barkery makes dog treats, and at the Blue Elegance workshop, jewelry is just one of the items created.
Rachel O’Donnell says earrings are her favorite to make.
Regarding what her ECHO job means to her, Rachel O’Donnell said, “Like being here because this job is rewarding and confident and great friends and co-workers.”
ECHO also has a shop open to the public so participants can get retail skills, and ECHO has even more products in the works,like coffee roasting.
“Our mission isn’t going to change,” Goldien said. “We are going to empower individuals for life, but we will have more new ideas coming each and every day.”
And when a new worker comes through the door, Doolin said he will offer this advice:
“Don’t give up. People might judge people that they can’t do a job but they can. Just have to stay positive.”
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