One might think serving an industrial engineering internship at a homeless shelter is a bit outside the box. However, 2011 Bridgeport High School graduate Adam Rexroad and Clarksburg Mission Executive Director Chris Mullet found it to be a perfect fit.

 

A senior industrial engineering at WVU, Rexroad has spent June and July evaluating and fine tuning operations of the Mission. He’s in the process of implementing finishing touches on some of the facility’s fundraising programs – changes which, in turn, will increase efficiency.

 

“I’ve been analyzing operations, finding ways to optimize the workplace through techniques I’ve learned and implementing those changes with approval from Mission administration and employees,” he said.

 

Rexroad said he has to give his parents credit for coming up with the idea.

 

“(They) had done work for the Mission and mentioned that I should consider it for my internship,” Rexroad said. “At first, I was very surprised and I didn’t know what involvement the Mission would have applicable to my major. Then I found out about their thrift store and, even more so, their baling operation.”

 

About 800,000 pounds of clothes are baled at the Mission each year, resulting in 20 percent of the facility’s annual budget, Rexroad said. Currently, the baler produces about 4.5 bales per day, creating $200,000 revenue per year.

 

“I basically went in and analyzed that operation, doing some studies to find bottlenecks in steps in hauling, sorting or loading clothes into the baler or optimizing storage – creating as much space as possible,” he said. “Through changing the way that material is handled and sorted, I’ve developed a new facility layout and work strategy that will double the daily output of this operation.”

 

Rexroad spent the first two or three weeks diagnosing weak components of the operation, then delved into the solution process.

 

“Through the implementation of a sorting table that would allow sorting of clothes at the same time the baler is being loaded, material flow will be more constant and speedy, improving the efficiency of our volunteers’ and employees’ efforts – and doubling the system’s previous output.”

 

By doing some fundraising work –$1,200 of the targeted $2,000 already raised – he is able to increase that area, providing improved output and efficiency.

 

“That money is being used to fabricate a sorting table, repair the back wall of the baler facility that the bales stack against and facilitate other standardization techniques in the facility’s layout and work methods,” Rexroad said.

 

The change in layout also utilizes more manpower, allowing one to five individuals to work in the area.

 

Items for the baling project come from one of two sources:  Donations made from individuals, churches and other groups and constant suppliers like retailers and other thrift stores. In most cases, sellable items which are donated are placed in the Mission thrift store. Items deemed unsellable – like mismatched, stained or torn items – are in most cases run through the baling system.

 

“We also have suppliers from as far away as Webster Springs that may bring anywhere from 15 to 50 bags of clothes,” he said.

 

The bales – or compact bundles – are sold by the truckload to third parties, yielding the Mission 24 cents per pound. About every two weeks, some 40,000 pounds of baled clothing is produced.

 

“Bales may then go to third world counties or national thrift store chains or simply shredded and used for insulation,” Rexroad said. “The initiative behind all of it is repurposing clothes that would otherwise end up in a landfill. They are put into bales that can easily be transported to where they can be used again.”

 

Rexroad is very pleased that his ideas could be implemented so easily at the non-profit facility.

 

“In the corporate world, it’s so hard to change things, but at the Mission, if you have a good idea and you pitch it to a few people who also believe it’s a good idea, you can make it happen,” he said. “Another big thing I’ve looked at is that the Mission is unique because of the abundance of volunteer labor. At a company, if you add an employee, there’s added cost. But here, we’re able to add more volunteers into the mix and improve efficiency.”

 

It’s been a good experience. Rexroad said he doesn’t even mind telling his parents they were right. Clarksburg Mission Director Chris Mullet echoes the remarks of approval regarding the internship.

 

“It's very rare for a small non-profit to have access to the kind of expertise that Adam brought to us during his summer internship,” he said. “The efficiency of our recycling program will be improved dramatically, helping us to generate more income to support our work. It's truly been a blessing to have Adam with us this summer.”

 

To contribute financially to the project, contact Rexroad at 304-677-2321 or Mullett at 304-203-1023. Additional efficiency improvements – such as improved workplace safety and standardized sorting rules – are planned.

 

“I’ve also begun looking at ways to improve inventory management and display in the thrift store, as well as other smaller projects around the Mission,” Rexroad said. “Any excess funds can be used in those areas, as well.”

 

The Clarksburg Mission provides housing to 90 men, women and children each night and provides about 200 meals daily, as well as clothing, furniture, personal and household items to people in need. The work has been ongoing since Christmas Eve of 1969.

 

Rexroad will graduate from WVU in 2015. In the meantime, he continues his work during football season in the BHS press box.

 

“I work with the scoreboard. I’m basically the liaison between all the businesses and Bridgeport High School. I can film commercials and produce them for the video scoreboard or if a commercial is finished, I can format and program it to where it can be used,” he said. “I approach businesses and handle the sale of advertising – and I film a lot of little promos that are shown during the games.” 

 

Editor's Note: Rexroad is pictured in the BHS press box. Read more HERE