NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A business that was a mainstay for some in the community burned down a few weeks ago. The family that runs the business says they are starting over but still with the same goal: to give a second chance to people with criminal backgrounds.
On June 25, LaToya Moore, Chief Operating Officer for ‘Do It My (DIM) Way Pallet Manufacturing Company’ said their business went up in smoke after complications arose with one of their machines.
“It was just an engine that caught fire. I suspect heat (had something to do with it),” Moore said.
Moore said the situation has become “chaotic” as they try to find a new place to house their business and continue to support their employees who because of their criminal backgrounds may not have easy options for finding other employment elsewhere.
“At DIM Way, we’ve always had a motto of second chances, we’ve always given a second chance to those who wouldn’t normally be able to get a job,” Moore said.
Moore said their business is one that helps people across the state.
“We manufacture pallets from start to finish. Goods can’t be transported across the country without pallets on the back of trucks,” Moore said.
Moore added thankfully they were able to find a warehouse in town to work from, although things don’t look the same yet.
“We literally started from zero, now we’re at 50%,” Moore said. “Before the fire, we had nine employees, now we’re down to four employees, trying to get back to production.”
Some employees with criminal backgrounds like Rashaad Scott and Curtis Holloway say they depend on the job and what it gives them.
Scott said, “It’s a great structure and hard work and it’s a way for me to work hard and not give up.” While Curtis said the business feels like family and he is “proud” of his work.
Moore said they still have a long way to go before everyone can get back indoors and back to work, but they hope to continue helping anyone they can.
