Employees gathered for a resource event at Wawona Frozen Food's Clovis location. Heartland Compass helps workers get access to financial assistance, reliable transportation, mental health services and more. Photo contributed

The personal life of an employee is not the traditional place you would a find business owner. But a local group of industrial employers is marking its first year of doing just that as a way to keep their workforce intact.

Last year, local manufacturers and food companies launched Heartland Compass to assist members in providing resources and support for workers in times of need.

Free and confidential to employees, Heartland Compass can help workers get caught up on mortgages or rent as well as offer finance and budgeting assistance. They can refer for stress and mental health resources and help connect to resources for medical bills, car repairs and transportation. They can even help in buying a home or car or point toward addiction treatment.

Kendra Devejian, CEO of Heartland Compass, said the organization’s first year surpassed her expectations.

“Part of this is to absolutely meet the needs of employees, but also to see what we can learn and understand about their needs and how those interplay with the world of manufacturing and businesses as a whole,” Devejian said.

 

From ‘The Source’

The inspiration for Heartland Compass comes from Mark Peters, CEO of Michigan-based butter producer Butterball, Inc., the keynote speaker at the “Valley Made” Manufacturing Summit in 2022.

In 2003, a group of manufacturers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, formed “The Source,” joining together to discusses childcare issues in the workplace and how solutions could help productivity and curb turnover.

This eventually expanded to finding resources and support for workers on issues ranging from housing, transportation and financial counseling.

In January 2023, born out of efforts from the Fresno Business Council and spearheaded by local CEOs, Heartland Compass was created as an employer-led nonprofit modeled after The Source.

Today, ten local companies have partnered with Heartland Compass to help their employees with life’s challenges.

The partnered companies are Affinity Truck Center, Betts Company, Career Nexus, JD Food/Certified Meat Products, Pitman Farms, Producers Dairy, Total Concept Enterprises, US Cold Storage, Valley Iron and Wawona Frozen Foods.

Devejian said she was blown away by local businesses wanting to help Heartland Compass. One such partnership with Self-Help Credit Union offers financial assistance to immigrants and low-income workers.

Workers helped by Heartland Compass are so grateful that some offer to pay money for the services rendered through the “Pay it Forward” program, and also volunteer their time and share stories.

As far as member employers, aligning with the Heartland Compass mission is key.

“We want like-minded CEOs,” Devejian said. “We want people that are not just in it for their business, but a community effort that’s looking at better understanding and changing the way we engage the conditions at work.”

According to Heartland Compass’s 2023 Annual Report, 76 clients have been served for 180 cases. Heartland Compass reported total revenue of $217,000 and $204,398 in total expenses.

It reported $39,775 towards direct client support.

 

Worthy investment

Betts Company was part of Heartland Compass from its launch. CEO Mike Betts said the results are like “a dream come true.”

Heartland Compass tracks among its members the most common challenges workers face. The top five addressed are finances, food, housing, transportation and health.

Because Heartland Compass keeps worker cases confidential, they hope employees feel comfortable seeking assistance.

“Heartland brings to light what people have to go through on a daily basis,” Betts said. “To be able to help your family, be at work, do a great job and have opportunity to move up.”

Betts said while employers may want all of their workers to succeed, CEOs or managers don’t always have the time to get personal, noting the value of having resources like Heartland Compass for help.

Betts said the investment paid by employer members into Heartland Compass is worth it to curb turnover rates.

Valley Iron is the most recent member to join the Heartland Compass. President and CEO Noel Briscoe said the 65-year-old business thinks long-term and strives to maintain a good company culture.

“We heard of Heartland Compass and the things they could provide to employees, beyond what we could, and what human resources could do. When life events happen to employees we can help direct them to someone like Kendra to take care of the issue at home without affecting their job,” Briscoe said.

Human Resources Manager Daniella Silva said all parties benefit from the program.

“It’s helped employees from calling out or being stressed. It’s helped more than just the employee, which is what we like to hear and see,” Silva said.

 

A hand up

Juan Carlos Sanchez was recently hired as a warehouse worker at Lyons Magnus, but received assistance from Heartland Compass when he was employed at JD Foods.

His managers became aware Sanchez was going through a period of intense personal loss. Sanchez’s marriage was falling apart, his brother suffered a fatal fentanyl overdose, and six months later, he lost his sister to complications from drugs and alcohol.

Sanchez’s boss referred him to Heartland Compass, but as a proud, hardworking man, he said he felt embarrassed to ask for help.

“They were always checking up on me, but I was so distant. I pushed them away. They kept reaching out to help,” he said.

Sanchez and his wife eventually separated, with her taking the family car and custody of their children. He accepted help through Heartland Compass, which even guided him toward resources for his own sobriety.

Sanchez said he is a guarded man, but he appreciates the effort of people from Heartland Compass.

“They showed me it’s ok to get help,” he said. “Their actions speak volumes. I was going through the fire, and they helped me get through it. Take that help. Pride can destroy you and your family. You can’t say no to a blessing.”