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For a while, I’ve been wanting to write about one of the most impressive local companies that I have the pleasure to do business with. It’s a social enterprise program called QCoffice, and I suspect many of you turn to them when you need office supplies or furniture.
What’s so unique about the business that Armando and Melissa Bernasconi started almost 20 years ago is that its sole purpose is to fuel their mission of helping those with disabilities become independent, productive members of our community.
 That mission began because of a close friend named Ben, who had cerebral palsy.
“He was completely capable mentally, but had no control of his limbs and was not able to talk, walk or care for himself,” said Armando, who was Ben’s college roommate.
Ben had two things he wanted more than anything out of life – a girlfriend and a job. He told the Bernasconis that he didn’t want to be a “leech” on society (his word, Armando notes). He wanted to be self-sufficient, pay his taxes, and have a role in the world.
The couple, who were already working in the disability employment field, took Ben’s ambitions to heart. They scoured the country looking for social enterprise programs that provided work for those with profound disabilities. While they discovered some terrific initiatives, none had employment for those with disabilities like Ben’s.
So they started their own program. QCoffice, which began when the state of Arizona provided Quality Connections with a grant so they could remanufacture toner cartridges. That soon expanded into other office supplies, and Ben became the QC webmaster, uploading products onto the company’s site using his communication device.
That business has now grown to a firm that offers thousands of products, provides 120 people with full-time employment – including 50 with a wide range of disabilities – and funds employment, residential and education programs for close to 200 other clients.
(Oh, and in case you are wondering, Ben found a girlfriend and ultimately married the love of his life. Armando was best man.)
I hope you enjoy this enlightening and uplifting interview with Armando Bernasconi about the roots of QCoffice, what it’s like competing in the commercial sector on behalf of a non-profit, and how toner, copy paper and other office supplies are changing the lives of hundreds of our fellow residents. You can read the full interview here. |
