Since it was implemented in 2021, the Workforce Resource Assistance Program has supported employees at four major Mexico employers: Fluid Power Support, Gold Crest Distributing, True Manufacturing and Spartan LMP.

This year, the program has expanded to include the Mexico Public Schools, and to help with the workload, WRAP added two new specialists, Robert Meador and Vickie Riley.

Meador is a self-proclaimed "Mexico guy” through and through. After graduating from high school, he knew he wanted to stay with the program that was very formative for him, so Meador returned to Mexico Middle School where he has coached football for the last 18 years.

“That’s given me a perspective over time on the value of culture first of all in a work environment,” Meador said.

Much like his job on the field, Meador works to build up his team of Mexico Public Schools employees.

And his existing relationship with the staff is something Meador thinks has helped him in his new role.

“It works best when they don’t even realize you’re having a WRAP interaction,” Meador said. “They just think we’re being caring folks and being there and, really, that’s the goal.”

WRAP’s presence in the school district was made possible after receiving a grant through Tyronn Lue’s Commitment to Community after years of proven success with manufacturers.

And manufacturers are Riley’s specialty.

Riley has been in the manufacturing business for more than 50 years. She got her start running a machine at Quality Plastics, and then she took night classes. Riley worked her way through the ranks and is now the office administrator and assistant to the plant manager at Creative Foods.

“I kind of have a different perspective because I was those people, the people I’m helping now,” Riley said.

Dana Keller, executive director of the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, said that Riley understood manufacturing in a way nobody else did, and that was a huge reason WRAP wanted to bring her on.

“My ultimate goal is being able to impress upon anybody out there on that manufacturing floor that I am here for them,” Riley said. “I’m not going to run to the supervisor, their bosses - they don’t know what we talk about.”

Darlene Shopher, WRAP specialist, explained that the program aims to cover “anything that we deal with in life,” both at work and at home, and connect employees with many resources, wrapping services around people.

“Our job is to help build those resources and therefore, make those people more stable as a person, as a family, as an employee of the business,” Shopher said.

WRAP specialists can offer financial education and assistance through low-interest personal loans, implement change in the workplace, connect families with medical and mental health resources, or simply offer a sympathetic ear to provide emotional support.

According to Shopher, the results of the support provided by WRAP has led to employees being more focused at work, safety measures increasing, attendance rising, higher retention rates and, ultimately, better workplace satisfaction.

“As a community member, it’s just super impressive, and now to be part of it is very fulfilling,” Meador said.