Franchise employees work to turn lives around

Ron Blake, 39, is starting a new business, but the slow economy is only one of the obstacles in his path.

The other major roadblock is trying to convince his potential customers that his employees can be trusted.

“Most people are a little paranoid when it comes to workers with questionable backgrounds entering their property,” said Blake, who recently purchased a franchise from Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems, a commercial cleaning franchiser with corporate offices in east Phoenix.

Blake, a former teacher, social worker and physical trainer, is hiring workers for his janitorial company by working with various social service agencies in the East Valley.

His future workers include paroled prisoners, people with mental and physical disabilities, and recovering drug users and alcoholics.

“I’m getting some skeptic reactions from potential clients,” said Blake, who has more than 20 years experience as an employment counselor at social service agencies and rehabilitation centers in Indiana.

“They like the idea of giving jobs to people who are trying to change and improve their lives, but some of them are reluctant when they think about those people entering their offices.”

The people he hires through social service agencies are more trustworthy than walk-ins off the streets, Blake said.

“They’ve already been screened by the agency and they’re trying to re-establish their lives by getting a job. Hiring them also is a way to give back to the community,” he said.

One of the service centers slated to provide employees for Blake’s Monster Cleaning Services is the Triple R Behavioral Health center, which has locations in Mesa, Apache Junction and Phoenix.

The “Rs” stand for recovery, rehabilitation and renewal.

“We think his (Blake’s) plan is wonderful,” said Matt Aman, an employment specialist at the Mesa center. “People with mental illnesses receive so much prejudice. It’s an old and ongoing stigma they have to endure.”

Blake said he will also be working with other agencies in the Valley for prospective employees.

Justin Cali, Jan-Pro regional director, said his company supports Blake’s approach to hiring workers.

“It’s a unique hiring method for Jan-Pro, and we’re very excited and happy for Ron,” said Cali, whose company has more than 9,000 franchise owners.

“Our biggest challenge is finding good employees, and from what we’ve heard about his approach, he’ll be not only getting good workers, but it’s also a good community-outreach program that Jan-Pro supports.”