This week’s Hometown Hero on WCHL is John Barrow, a longtime counseling psychologist at Duke who, in his retirement, has served on the board of directors for Orange County Living Wage since it was launched seven years ago. As he prepares to step down from our board, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com formally recognize Barrow for his active contributions toward making Orange County a fairer, more accessible place. One of our founders, Susan Romaine, talked to WCHL’s Aaron Keck about John’s impact. Have a listen.
Justin Ellis, School of Rock general manager/music director. (Photo by Tom Simon)
BY ROXANA BOYD
This month, School of Rock in Chapel Hill celebrated five years of music lessons and programs for youth and adults. With more than 300 locations worldwide, including seven in North Carolina, the School of Rock name may sound familiar, but the Chapel Hill franchise carries its own unique feel and takes pride in being an Orange County Living Wage employer.
David Joseph opened School of Rock in 2017 after finding a perfectly situated and special location – the diner on Fordham Boulevard, where he used to eat with his family. While Joseph kept some of the original character like the booths and stools, the exterior lights give it “just a smidge of Vegas,” he says.
The hallways inside are covered with dozens of colorful posters of student shows and album covers, photos of music instructors and students celebrating birthdays and achievements, and a framed living wage employer certificate.
From the beginning, Joseph wanted to attract and retain quality employees who felt appreciated. He also recognized that truly happy employees create a positive environment for students. For employees who want to make music their career, Joseph wants to make that possible for them by paying a living wage.
“People are going to choose their life path,” says Joseph. “But if they’re going to be here in Chapel Hill and they do music, I’d love for them to come hang out with us.”
Justin Ellis, one of School of Rock’s 21 employees, started in 2018 as an instructor for bass, drums, and voice but gradually took on more responsibilities. In 2020, he became the music director.
Two weeks ago, Ellis was promoted to general manager/music director.
“To work for a place that I so desperately wish existed when I was growing up is the coolest thing,” says Ellis. “I definitely have the best job in the world.”
Ellis reflected on his years working in the service industry before joining School of Rock. As an independent musician, he supplemented his income with jobs in restaurants, movie theaters, and warehouses – he thought a living wage workplace was not an option.
“It was conditioned to me that getting two dollars an hour plus tips was what you had to do if you wanted to play music,” he says.
School of Rock’s living wage “signals to our people that we’re doing what we can to take care of them and make it a fun and attractive place to work,” Ellis says. “I think based on our growth and the roster of instructors we have now, it’s definitely working.”
Photo courtesy of School of Rock Chapel Hill
Summer Camps and Shows
Of the 280 students who take weekly music lessons at School of Rock in Chapel Hill, roughly half also participate in a group program, such as Rock 101, Rock 201, and Performance. These students sign up for a theme, spend four months learning the songs, and finish with a show.
On June 26 from noon until 5 pm, Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro will showcase several School of Rock student performances – a mid-season preview show. A $10 donation at the door is suggested and appreciated.
“The whole point of School of Rock is teaching people how to play together as a band and getting them on stage and in front of an audience because that’s where the magic happens,” says Joseph. “I’ve heard from many, many parents that the kid wouldn’t get out of bed for anything, but when it’s School of Rock day, it’s, ‘Come on Mom. Hurry up. It’s time. We’re gonna be late.’”
Photo courtesy of School of Rock Chapel Hill
School of Rock’s popular summer camps for youth are beginning to sell out, but openings remain for two of the camps, including a songwriting camp in August. Ellis enjoys teaching this camp, as he finds he learns more about students through their writing than when they play “Back in Black” by AC/DC on the guitar, for example.
“You see a whole other side of the kids that you just don’t see when you’re drilling ‘Back in Black,’” he says. “I love to drill ‘Back in Black.’ Don’t get me wrong. But getting to know these kids as creative people is definitely one of my absolute favorite things about the camp and the job in general.”
BY ROXANA BOYD
Jane Meadows (center) with team members Reyna Arroyo-Martinez (left) and Yerlin Vanesa Najera Alvarenga.
Team lunches, stipends for gas, and a living wage set Crystal Clear Cleaning apart as an employer and housecleaning business in Orange County and the surrounding area.
As a certified living wage employer, the business prides itself on its relationship-oriented approach and family-like trust. Owner Jane Meadows regularly takes her two team members out to lunch to local restaurants like The Refectory Cafe, Fiesta Grill, and Weaver Street Market.
Reyna Arroyo-Martinez and Yerlin Vanesa Najera Alvarenga have been working with Jane Meadows for four years and two years, respectively. Arroyo-Martinez feels lucky that she kept her regular hours despite the pandemic. “In this company with Jane…I feel very happy. She is very nice,” she says.
Meadows started Crystal Clear Cleaning in 2000, and the business became a living wage employer about six years ago. Since then, it has attracted clients who appreciate the value of the living wage mission. She sees the Orange County Living Wage program as a way to invite the community to look at all forms of work as respectable, valuable, and honorable.
The Crystal Clear Cleaning team currently has room in their schedule to onboard two to three more clients. Meadows thinks this spring will bring a surge of requests for cleaning services, but she will need to hire more employees to keep up with the demand.
“It’s a balancing act between having enough help and having sufficient clients to keep that help employed,” she says.
Prior to the pandemic, Crystal Clear Cleaning had twice as many clients and employees. In the past couple of years, loyal clients paused their appointments but continued to pay for services because they wanted the business to survive.
When asked what makes Crystal Clear Cleaning unique, Meadows responds: “How much we care about each other. We operate more like a family than we do a small business.”
“We clean your home as if it were our own home,” she says. “We touch everything in your home with love and respect.” Clients tell her that their house feels like new after their services.
The team brings everything they need to job sites, relying on elbow grease and scrubbing power instead of chemicals. “Our products are safe for our clients, their children, their pets, and us,” says Meadows. After an initial deep clean, they schedule regular clients every two weeks.
Mary Ann Bumbera has been a Crystal Clear Cleaning client since the fall. She heard about the business from a friend and says she would recommend them to anyone. “They do such a good job. They’re dependable, responsible, trustworthy,” she says.
For more information about Crystal Clear Cleaning or to get in touch with owner Jane Meadows, see this flyer.
BY ROXANA BOYD
On Feb. 22, the Chamber for a Greater Chapel-Hill Carrboro launched the Summer Careers Academy, a new apprenticeship program that will connect young adults with local employers for eight weeks of career training. This summer, the “Building Our Future” inaugural program in Orange County will facilitate apprenticeships in the construction trades. Leaders plan to expand to other industries, such as health care and technology, and nearby counties in the coming years.
The vision for Summer Careers Academy stemmed from Chapel Hill Town Council Member Tai Huynh’s work with the local refugee community. In March 2021, he brought together a working group of employers, education institutions, government entities, and other volunteers. This coalition formed a steering committee that designed the program with an emphasis on supporting low-income students, students of color, and those from refugee and migrant families.
Participants in the apprenticeship program will receive credit and credentials toward careers in skilled trades – and a learning wage of $12 an hour. Orange County Living Wage (OCLW) fully endorses the $12 learning wage because it provides greater access to apprenticeships for students of all incomes, says OCLW Co-Founder Susan Romaine.
“We often hear about unpaid internships and apprenticeships as great opportunities for students to network, get on-the-job experience, and build their resumes,” says Romaine. “But not everybody can afford unpaid internships and apprenticeships. Many high school students work to contribute to the family’s monthly expenses; or, perhaps they are saving for a car or even college.”
Romaine says OCLW is thrilled that the Summer Careers Academy will encourage participating employers to hire students after their completion of the program and pay a living wage of $15.85 an hour.
“These employers become a pipeline for living wage jobs for future graduates of this apprenticeship program,” says Romaine. “We hope these employers will join our roster of certified living wage employers along the way.”
From construction firms to nonprofits, more than a dozen employers have signed up to host students this summer for pathways in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, and heating and air conditioning.
“We’ve been hearing a growing chorus of recognition that we need to train young folks in the trades,” says Mark Marcoplos, owner of Marcoplos Construction and a former Orange County Commissioner. “It is a very viable career pathway as an alternative to the academic path.”
Summer Careers Academy offers multiple ways for employers and community members to get involved. More information, including student application forms, can be found on the website. The program will run from June 14 through Aug. 5.
Orange County Living Wage is happy to announce that ClearWind Farm is now a living wage employer.
The 200-acre farm is located 15 minutes west of Chapel Hill and offers equine-assisted psychotherapy, learning workshops, horseback riding lessons, and yoga. Clearwind Farm was founded in 2000 by Suzanne and Matt Case.
For more information, go to clearwindfarm.com. For a list of all of Orange County’s certified living wage employers, click here.
Listen as WCHL shares the news of ClearWind Farm’s living wage certification!
Orange County Living Wage is happy to announce that Ten Mothers Farm is now a living wage employer. Ten Mothers Farm is a small farm in Cedar Grove growing organic, nutrient-dense vegetables for a CSA and local restaurants. The farm was founded by Gordon Jenkins and Vera Fabian in 2016.
“The Ten Mothers Farm crew is an incredible team,” says Vera. “Together, we get a lot of work done and grow a lot of food. Making sure that every member of the team makes a living wage shows that everyone is valued and helps them meet the cost of their basic necessities. Farming is hard work and skilled work, and farmers deserve to earn a living wage. Paying a living wage means our farmers have stable, year-round jobs and can stick around longer than one season, which makes our business more resilient. Skilled long-term farmers make for better vegetables and better service for our CSA customers. It’s taken us a number of years to get to this point, but it feels really good to finally be here, and we believe it’s a win-win situation for all of us.”
For more information, go to tenmothersfarm.com.
For a list of all of Orange County’s certified living wage employers, click here.
Listen as WCHL shares the news of Ten Mothers Farm’s living wage certification!
Orange County Living Wage is pleased to announce that New Vista Development has certified as a living wage employer.
New Vista Development is a boutique custom home design and building company based in Chapel Hill. They work in Orange, Chatham, and Durham counties. Their success is driven by Kurt Mueller’s enjoyment of the design process. He works with clients collaboratively and is committed to listening, understanding, and respecting their needs and wishes in order to deliver the home of their dreams.
Listen as WCHL shares the news of New Vista Development’s living wage certification!
Orange County Living Wage is pleased to announce that Well has certified as a living wage employer.
Located on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, Well is a health tech startup offering on-demand health guides and habit-forming journeys.
Well’s concierge health team delivers easy-to-understand explanations, health guidance, and active assistance — live and on-demand. This is not one size fits all. For every member, they deliver proactive health insights that are data-driven, timely, and personalized.
For more information, head to well.co.
Listen as WCHL shares the news of Well’s living wage certification!
Orange County Living Wage is pleased to announce that Pure Tree Care has certified as a living wage employer.
Pure Tree Care provides expert-quality tree services. Whether you require services in tree removal, pruning, or trimming, their professional arborists and tree surgeons have the experience and skills to assist. This family-owned tree service business was founded in 1992 and serves Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the surrounding areas. Their prices are affordable – yet each project is tailored to exact client specifications.
Learn more by visiting https://puretreecare.com.
Listen as WCHL shares the news of Pure Tree Care’s living wage certification!
Orange County Living Wage is pleased to announce that Bowbarr has certified as a living wage employer.
Bowbarr is a bar on West Rosemary Street specializing in cocktails and community gathering space. You can also order wine or gifts on their website for pick up or delivery.
Learn more by visiting www.bowbarrtogo.com.
Listen as WCHL shares the news of Bowbarr’s living wage certification!
