Saying Chesterfield Employment Service (CES) is just another employment agency is like saying Walt Disney World is just another amusement park. Disney has magic; CES has heart. And both make dreams come true.

A division of Chesterfield County Mental Health Support Services, CES is a job placement service for people with intellectual disabilities.

"We serve about 180 people, working a variety of jobs in over 100 businesses in the area," explains Ron Miller, CES' marketing coordinator.

Typical jobs include cleaning offices and hotel rooms, bagging groceries, preparing fast-food and stocking shelves. These motivated adults make a difference and can be found at local businesses such as Ukrop's, Burger King, Holiday Inn Select, Townes Site Engineering and Merit Medical.

"Each year, we place [an additional] 35 clients in jobs." But even with that impressive placement record, there are still 45 people on their waiting list eagerly awaiting a job.

Because of this demand, CES has gone one step beyond finding jobs for clients by creating Cartridge Connections, a business that's good for the environment and consumers' pocketbooks. The new venture started last fall and officially opened in January. It is currently staffed by three employees. "We will soon add a fourth employee, and our business plan calls for 12 within the first two years of operation," adds Miller.

Cartridge Connections houses two operations. One recycles used ink and toner cartridges, and the other sells compatible cartridges. The recycling operation involves the staff running three routes each week to collect used cartridges. Back at the shop, they sort, box and send the cartridges to a recycling plant in California. Their work alone keeps about 600 cartridges per month out of the landfills.

Along with recycling, Cartridge Connections sells compatible ink and toner cartridges that cost 20-40 percent less than many retailers. The products "are warranted to last as long and work as well as the brand name." They use new drums every time, and they do not reuse empty cartridges. They will even replace defective cartridges.

This neophyte organization is initially servicing businesses and organizations. Since January, they have partnered with 75 businesses. "Each week, we average about three new businesses," says Miller. Some businesses recycle and purchase cartridges while others prefer to just recycle.

For the clients who work at Cartridge Connections, it empowers them and gives them a purpose in their lives.

"It's more than just getting a job and a paycheck," says Miller. "The fact that they now come to work each day, Monday through Friday, is an important step for them…earning a paycheck, being more a part of the community… with the dignity and respect that comes as they contribute to their own life and as a citizen of the community."

Cartridge Connections' motto reflects that mission: Change a cartridge…Change a life.

For more information, contact Ron Miller at 271-9451 or millerr@chesterfield.gov

Check out more stories in this edition of the Chesterfield Observer, now a weekly publication.