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 Orange Grove Center is a leader in providing services to people with developmental disabilities. We specialize in teaching children from an early age to achieve their greatest potential. As these children grow to adulthood and new youngsters take their places, the programs offered by Orange Grove expand to include various opportunities in a vocational setting. This setting will allow those adults to lead independent lives and reach their maximum vocational goal.
In keeping with this goal, a community recycling program seemed to afford strong training possibilities. The Center entered the recycling market in 1988 with a staff of five developmentally disabled adults and one supervisor. The success of this new vocational training opportunity led Center administrators to explore expansion of the program. In 1994 the Recycling Center entered into a contract with the City of Chattanooga whereby the Center would process the recyclables being picked up in Chattanooga's burgeoning blue bag curbside recycling program. This called for expansion of the physical processing plant as well as a larger work force.
The John F. Germ Recycling Center, named in honor of a long time OGC supporter and board member, presently
 employees over 100 developmentally disabled citizens. Here, they are equipped with the practical skills they will need to seek employment in the community at large. Personal development is also a priority as they become more well-rounded, self-fulfilled individuals who are active members of their community. Additionally, OGRC offers a transition-to-work program for area juniors and seniors who are academically at risk. Their training affords them practical experience that will be useful in entering the work force after graduation.
The Recycling Center is now considered a regional Materials Recovery Facility, accepting recyclables from local municipalities' curbside programs, area drop off centers, businesses and schools throughout the tri-state area. The Recycling Center sorts, separates, bales and sells to regional recycling end markets over 2 million pounds of product each month thereby diverting this material from local landfills. A formal recycling education program was begun in 1997 whereby local citizens are reached through various avenues with information about the importance of recycling and solid waste management.
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