COEUR d'ALENE - Not that long ago, the world was a very small place for people like Boyd Sutherland, a 51-year-old with a disability.

Support services to help adults with disabilities lead independent, productive lives were nearly non-existent 50 years ago, said Russ Doumas, CEO of TESH, Inc.

"I would imagine people of all ages with disabilities lived very isolated lives. They lived in institutions or stayed at home," Doumas said. "There weren't opportunities for growth and development, for them to apply their skills and be involved in their communities."

That is not the case today, because of organizations like TESH, a Coeur d'Alene nonprofit celebrating its 35th anniversary this month.

TESH provides support - life and employment skills training, job coaching and counseling, child development services - to Kootenai County residents with disabilities.

Sutherland, a TESH client, has bipolar disorder.

"I have a disability, but I work really hard. Most people that have my disability don't work," Sutherland said.

Sutherland, a mini-bar attendant at The Coeur d'Alene Resort for nearly five months, says he loves his job re-stocking mini-fridges and candy baskets in guest rooms.

"I did about 85 rooms today. When I first started, I was doing 40 rooms," he said.

Previously employed as a custodian for Coldwater Creek, Sutherland was let go during a round of company lay-offs and collected unemployment.

With TESH's help, he was matched to the job at The Resort.

"I don't know what I'd be doing if I didn't work. It gives me a good sense of accomplishment," Sutherland said.

Sarah Wilson, Sutherland's supervisor, said she has had TESH clients work for her in the past. The support clients receive from TESH helps create strong, successful employer-employee experiences, she said.

"The greatest barrier that people with disabilities have, are oftentimes the low expectations that are placed upon them, whether it's by family members, employers or even themselves, that they can't do things," Doumas said. "But every time we decide a person with a disability is capable of doing more, they're able to do more."

The people at TESH raise the bar of expectation, he said, and help their clients rise to their full potentials by providing opportunities.

Doumas said TESH not only transforms people's lives in that way, but also enriches the community by positively impacting clients' families and their workplaces.

Employers frequently comment that they appreciate the person they've hired with TESH's assistance, Doumas said. They have a worker who shows up on time, and is committed to getting the job done.

"They don't take the job for granted, but realize they're doing something important and appreciate the opportunity," Doumas said. "They end up with someone who is dependable and loves their job."

TESH serves about 400 clients per year. Doumas said they estimate the number of lives collaterally affected in a postive way over 35 years is more than 50,000.

Finding jobs for people with disabilities has always been challenging, Doumas said, but it's become even more so today.

"When employers can choose from a long list of applicants to fill a position, a person with a disability oftentimes is at a disadvantage in a highly competitive labor market," Doumas said.

Employers that frequently have high employee turnover rates often find that a TESH client may take a little longer to train, but they stay for a long time, Doumas said.

The other big challenge for TESH is finding funding. Medicaid cutbacks at the state and federal level have hurt all the agency's program areas, Doumas said.

"In vocational rehab, the state has been unable to match the federal money, so they've turned money back," he said. "This year there may be up to $2 million that may be returned because the state didn't have the 20 percent match, and that's to help people go to work."

In turn, TESH has becoming increasingly dependent upon financial support from the community, he said.

They recently started a new mobile car wash business that provides some revenue while at the same time creating employment skills training opportunities for clients.

"We're looking for employers with fleets of vehicles that they want cleaned," Doumas said.

They have cleaned cars for the City of Coeur d'Alene, for banks and other businesses, he said.

It uses green technology, Doumas said, a steam-clean and wax using only about a cup of water.

"People are very happy with the results," he said.

To celebrate TESH's 35th anniversary, they are hosting an open house Sept. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. The public is invited, Doumas said.

There will be door prizes, refreshments and tours of the TESH facility, 3327 W. Industrial Loop, Coeur d'Alene.

It will also be a chance for community members to view the final results of a makeover the TESH building received a year ago. Coordinated by KAYU Fox28's "House to Home" television team, the facility's remodel was made possible with donations from 65 local businesses and more than 100 volunteer laborers.

Information: 765-5105