{"id":110101,"date":"2019-03-26T06:00:13","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T10:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=110101"},"modified":"2019-03-26T18:11:13","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T22:11:13","slug":"mackcycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2019\/03\/26\/mackcycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Mack Cycle & Best Buddies: Working Towards a More Inclusive Future"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Thadeus \u201cThad\u201d Mark started Mack Cycle in 1957, the world was a very different place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).<\/p>\n

The United States was years away from passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and even further from passing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The latter prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general population.<\/p>\n

During that time, people with IDD were being institutionalized, completely segregated from the general population. Including people with IDD in everyday society was not yet part of the national conversation. The thought of employing them was a distant idea.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Breaking the Cycle of Exclusion<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Thad had his own experiences with exclusion while growing up in New York City. As the son of Polish immigrants, he was the constant target of discrimination. This deeply affected how he viewed the world and helped define his role in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember my mom telling my sister and me how my grandpa changed his name to hide his Polish heritage. It makes me sad to think that this resulted from discrimination and bullying,\u201d recalled his granddaughter, Sandy Losada.<\/p>\n

Those challenging times became the catalyst for how Thad treated others; more importantly, it defined how Mack Cycle would do business. Their doors were open to everyone, no matter who they were. His commitment to welcoming and including everyone paved a path towards Mack Cycle employing a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, nearly 62 years later.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

A New Era of Philanthropy & Increased Community Involvement<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

As Mack Cycle grew through the 60\u2019s, 70\u2019s, and 80\u2019s, so did Thad\u2019s three children: Teddy, Tom, and Mary Jane Mark. Their mother, Helena, further fueled the family\u2019s commitment to social equity through her work, facilitating the adoption of children. Thad and Helena\u2019s youngest child, Mary Jane, eventually grew up to take over the family business in the 1980\u2019s.<\/p>\n

With her parent\u2019s strong values of inclusion and respect towards others instilled in her from a young age, Mary Jane led Mack Cycle into a new era of increased community involvement and philanthropy through the 1990\u2019s and 2000\u2019s.<\/p>\n

These same values were also passed on to the next generation of Mack Cycle\u2019s leadership: her daughters, Rachel and Sandy. Together, they\u2019ve took their philanthropy to the next level, supporting various causes, but one organization resonated particularly strongly, Best Buddies International.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”110125″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]\n

The Perfect Partnership<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

In 2013, Mack Cycle was introduced to Best Buddies. Their mission of providing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be included in the community through friendship, jobs, leadership development, and inclusive living seemed like a natural fit for their business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that treating everyone in an inclusive and respectful manner helps nurture a stronger, more resilient community in which its members can thrive,\u201d says Mary Jane, emphasizing one of Mack Cycle\u2019s core values.<\/p>\n

The non-profit\u2019s signature cycling events, the Best Buddies Challenges<\/i>, were the perfect opportunity to bring Mack Cycle\u2019s values and Best Buddies\u2019 mission together.<\/p>\n

Sponsoring the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami <\/i>formally introduced Mack Cycle to the community of people with IDD which Best Buddies serves. Mary Jane felt like she made the right business decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting to know members of the Best Buddies community opened our eyes to a world of possibilities. It validated our core values as a business, and made us aware of the lack of opportunities people with IDD have to enjoy things that we sometimes take for granted, like friendship and meaningful employment.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”110102″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]\n

A More Inclusive & Diverse Workplace<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

According to National Core Indicators (NCI), 81% of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities do not have a paid job in the community. This figure didn\u2019t sit well with the leadership at Mack Cycle, so they decided to be a part of the solution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a long tradition of employing members who belong to Miami\u2019s diverse communities. Employing an individual from the Best Buddies Jobs programs was the logical next step in furthering our involvement with the organization and in creating a more inclusive workplace,\u201d said Mary Jane with pride.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

A New Team Member & Friend<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

In January of 2019, Mack Cycle hired Sales Support team member, Santiago, through the Best Buddies Jobs<\/i> program. This made their commitment to inclusion more tangible. He\u2019s the first person you see when you walk into their store.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis welcoming smile and positive attitude immediately change\u00a0the way our customers interact with the rest of our staff,\u201d said Sandy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSantiago has also changed the way our staff interacts with each other. Our store is more vibrant when he\u2019s around. He reminds each one of us to focus on the individual \u201d His contribution to Mack Cycle is felt all through the business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he\u2019s not greeting our customers, he\u2019s working the floor, making sure our merchandise is organized and neat. Santiago has been an invaluable team member. He\u2019s become an important part of the Mack Cycle family. Staff members treat him with respect, and we get the same in return from him.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”110123″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]\n

A Call-To-Action To Business Owners<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Mack Cycle is committed to inclusion in the workplace, and its CEO, Mary Jane, hopes to inspire more businesses to take part in the Best Buddies Jobs program.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen, firsthand, the positivity that results from the Best Buddies Jobs program. As business owners, we have been given the privilege to add value to people\u2019s lives through gainful employment. It is our responsibility to create a work environment that includes members of our community of all abilities. We are so thankful to Best Buddies for giving us this meaningful opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

To celebrate this partnership, Mack Cycle will be donating 20% of their online and in-store proceeds to Best Buddies during the month of April.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Best Buddies Jobs program, or to hire a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit bestbuddies.org\/jobs<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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