COVID-19: VTC Enterprises helps adults with disabilities during pandemic

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - On a regular day, VTC Enterprises in Santa Maria would be full of people taking educational classes.

"If you look around here this would be a bustling space you’d have people in every classroom coming out on breaks we got a kitchen over there we have other learning classes in the back," said CEO Jason Telander of VTC Enterprises.

But these aren’t regular times.

When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, the nonprofit organization shut down its in-person services, affecting 250 adults with disabilities.

"We’re doing what everybody else is doing ... we’re doing Google meetings we're doing meet ups we’re doing FaceTime but those are only so effective," said Telander.

Most recently, staff members have received Google Chrome books to help clients.

VTC employees say they are pleased to still get their training here at the cafe throughout the pandemic.

"I like working here because I just like to get to know everybody," said client Martin Urrutia of VTC Enterprises.

"Our individuals in here have worked the whole time because we have a contract to do lunch and dinner with juvenile hall ... so we’ve been working since March 13 when the rest of the facility shut down," said manager Robin Patten with VTC Enterprises.

Staff members plan to continue offering services to clients at their homes as much as possible.