COEUR d'ALENE - Steve Logan worked as a gemologist and a jeweler for many years before avascular necrosis - loss of blood supply to the bones in his joints - and other illnesses got in the way.

He was put on permanent disability. He searched for a job to no avail, but he wasn't ready to give up on being a contributing member of society.

"I look at it as God is the dealer at the poker table, and sometimes he deals you a good hand, sometimes you don't get such a good hand," Logan said Friday morning in his soft, gravelly voice. "You have to play your cards, no matter what you get. You can't just sit around and be a victim."

About two years ago, Logan went to the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, introduced himself and explained his situation. Through Voc Rehab's network of connections, Logan met Pam Harris. Harris works as the employment services program manager at Tesh, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping people living with disabilities and other challenges. She set Logan on the path to permanent employment through the Community Based Work Evaluation paid work trial assessment program.

In this program, Logan worked six shifts through three weeks at the farm and ranch supply store Big R, which has since rebranded to North 40 Outfitters. Tesh, with the support of Voc Rehab, paid him $7.25 an hour and covered his worker's compensation and liability insurance. Harris worked as his job coach while he learned the ropes and he applied at the end of his trial.

"Pam did an awesome job," Logan said. "Absolutely it makes work more attainable. Work's hard to get up here, and having a job coach through Tesh helps you tremendously. I don't think I would have found a job. I was looking for a job for a year and a half before I was introduced to Pam, and within three or four months I was working."

Logan has traded in his jeweler's loupe for work gloves and a big store.

"Everything's new to me - tractor parts, tractor implements, herbicides for insects, what do you feed your plants to get them to grow? How do you use an electrical fence? These are things I never knew," he said. "I came from the city six years ago, I had never really worked in a big store like this. It's good brain food."

His part-time position as a North 40 Outfitters sales associate more than fulfills his need to work. He interacts with customers and is learning all the time.

"As a man that's married, I'm back to being a provider. I'm back to putting food in the fridge," he said. "I don't know anybody that wants to sit in front of the TV all day. I'm sure those people are out there, but not me."

North 40 and Tesh have a positive relationship when it comes to helping people get back into the workforce or enter it for the first time. The nonprofit recently presented North 40 with a plaque in celebration of the 100th Community Based Work Evaluation employee being placed at the store since the two began collaborating in February of 2010. They are now up to 101. Harris commended North 40 store manager Brian Cravens on his ability to work with those in the program as though they are already his employees.

"Brian treats them all equally, even if they have other types of goals," she said. "He is one of the best managers I have ever worked with as far as employee development. He really walks the walk and shakes them up if they need that. He has high expectations."

Cravens believes in the program, even if the trial workers move on to other businesses, college or other vocational training. Disabled, displaced, disillusioned, it doesn't matter. Cravens and his store are happy to give people a chance.

"That's what we're all about, giving people opportunities," he said. "Each one of our locations works with some local nonprofit and allows these types of things to happen in our stores. It's kind of ingrained in us, giving back to our communities, giving people opportunities."

People of all levels of disabilities and challenges have been through the program in Cravens' store, and he said he feels more companies should consider partnering with Tesh and Voc Rehab to strengthen the workforce and lift people's spirits while they try out a new job.

"A lot of these guys, you know, they want to make a difference and they want to contribute, but a lot of times the doors aren't open for them to go in and try it. We try to give them that platform," Cravens said. "There's only so much that we can do because we're a retail establishment, but there are other professional jobs out there that these folks are interested in. Sometimes they don't open the door and give them the opportunity. I don't know if it's based off of fear of liability or whatnot."

He said even if it's just a few hours a week, the program gives the displaced, inexperienced and disabled workers a sense of being part of something.

Cravens has 82 permanent employees, three who came from the Community Based Work Evaluation program. Sean Mason, 29, of Coeur d'Alene, has been working carryout at North 40 for about six months. He is naturally reserved and didn't have a ton of work experience before he went through the program. Now he works full time, slinging bags of feed and accompanying customers to their cars on a daily basis.

"I like working here," he said. "There's a bunch of good people here. It's more like a family than it is coming to work. It's a pretty good environment."

The Community Based Work Evaluation program is open to those who are transitional workers such as high schoolers fresh to the job market, people who have disabilities, physical limitations, those who are changing vocations and those who are returning to work after a long time of not working. At North 40, they get experience in customer service, retailing, being on time, using time wisely, working as a team member and other qualities they can take with them to other occupations.

A few other businesses that participate in the program are Super 1 Foods, Video Theater, McDonald's and The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Special requests for other types of job trials may also be considered.

"There's really no risk at all for the business to have these folks in here to do this," Cravens said. "Just so these guys can try it out and make them feel like they're contributing and making a difference. A lot of these guys, they don't have a choice, or they're born that way, so for them, even if they're working in the store for a couple hours, it makes the biggest difference in their lives. It gives them confidence, it makes them feel like they're contributing, and I think that's big for them."

For information, contact Harris at 765-5105 or pharris@teshinc.com.