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DOBSON, NC. (Jan. 15, 2025) <\/strong>\u2013 Wayne-Sanderson Farms\u2019 Dobson Complex was recently named the \u201c2024 Recovery Friendly Workplace of the Year\u201d in recognition of its partnership with Surry County\u2019s Office of Substance Abuse Recovery.<\/p>\n The county\u2019s nationally-recognized workforce reentry program melds local businesses, law enforcement and corrections officials to help former inmates find employment and establish healthy lifestyle patterns to avoid future incarceration.<\/p>\n Company representatives accepted the honor during a recent Surry County Recovery Friendly Workplace Program luncheon and panel discussion with local business leaders discussing local workforce challenges. Program director Emily Venable-Schiff presented the award to Wayne-Sanderson Farms Dobson Complex Manager Matthew Wooten, noting the company\u2019s ongoing commitment to the program from the beginning.<\/p>\n \u201cWayne-Sanderson Farms was the first company we discussed the idea with, and Matthew Wooten was immediately on board,\u201d said Venable-Schiff. \u201cOur office works directly with Wayne-Sanderson\u2019s human resource managers to ensure the right candidate is matched with the right position, providing a supervised \u2018second chance\u2019 to participants.\u201d<\/p>\n Applicants are vetted, counseled and must go through Surry County Community College\u2019s Employable Skills Workshop certification before being considered for a position.Once selected for the program, Venable-Schiff and her team help them prepare to be \u201cjob ready\u201d with the skills and attitude necessary for their second chance.<\/p>\n \u201cThe program is a three-way partnership between us, the county and the participants to create a structure of accountability and training to help them get back on their feet,\u201d said Wooten. \u201cWe provide the environment and support, and the participants work hard to be responsible and make necessary lifestyle changes for longterm success.\u201d<\/p>\n Wooten first heard about plans to start the reentry program in an effort to stem recidivism and reincarceration several years ago, and initiated contact with the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse and Sheriff Steve Hiatt to get involved. Since then, the program has grown from a handful of participants at Wayne-Sanderson Farms facilities to a county-wide initiative with several companies throughout the area. County program managers credit Wayne-Sanderson Farms with jump-starting what has become one of North Carolina\u2019s most successful substance abuse programs.<\/p>\n \u201cTo date, we have placed about a dozen program participants in a variety of jobs from production and maintenance to pallet drivers and shipping,\u201d said Wooten. \u201cWe have added several valuable members to our team, and are proud to be part of their success.\u201d<\/p>\n