CLEVELAND — Vocational Guidance Services, known as VGS, has been sewing dress slacks for the women of the U.S. military since the late 1980s. The workforce agency holds a contract with the U.S. government.
But that contract is now on hold so the employees can focus on their local community.
The employees in the company's sewing department are switching slacks for masks. They are sewing 800 to 1,000 cloth masks every day.
"First responders and healthcare providers, it's really important everyone is safe and healthy," said Susie Barragate, the president and CEO of VGS.
The company began making the PPE for the Cleveland Clinic upon request but once word got out the request for masks continued to grow.
They now have orders from ambulance companies, home healthcare business and large companies spread throughout Northeast Ohio.
"It’s an honor to work for an agency that also gives back to the community and this is our way of helping," said Barbara Moore, an 18-year employee of VGS.
Barragate said this new mission is a continuation of their mission to provide aide and support to the community.
"Partnering up to do something like this during a pandemic and when things go wrong is part of our mission and part of who we are in the community so this plays a big part in that," Barragate said.
Barragate said they will continue to sew masks as long as the need is there.
VGS is hiring. For more information, click here.
If you'd like to learn more about VGS, click here.The company was featured on News 5's Buckeye Built series.
