This morning, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment of the Regional Government of Castilla y León, Leticia García, visited the facilities of APADEFIM 2000, one of the Special Employment Centers managed by Fundación Personas, in La Lastrilla (Segovia). The visit highlighted the social and economic value of sheltered employment and the important work carried out by entities such as ours to generate real and sustainable job opportunities for people with disabilities.
During her tour of the center, the minister was accompanied by the president of Fundación Personas, Carlos Martín, the general director, Daniel Clavero, and the director of the center, Mercedes González, whom she congratulated for their commitment and contribution to the personal, professional and social development of people with disabilities, as well as to the promotion of the local economy.
Recognition of the impact of EWCs
At the event, the Minister recalled that the Special Employment Centers of Castilla y León generated more than 6,600 jobs for people with disabilities last year, which represents an increase of 12% since the beginning of the legislature. This growth has been accompanied by a 34% increase in economic support from the regional government, which in 2024 allocated more than 41 million euros to the maintenance and creation of employment in these social economy entities.
Carlos Martín, president of Fundación Personas, expressed his gratitude for this institutional support, pointing out that “employment is one of the main means of social inclusion” and that “centers such as APADEFIM 2000 not only offer jobs, but also make it possible to build life projects with meaning, dignity and a future”.
APADEFIM 2000: more than 30 years of inclusive employment
With more than three decades of experience, APADEFIM 2000 is today a reference center in the labor integration of people with intellectual disabilities in the province of Segovia. Since joining Fundación Personas in 2010, it has maintained its commitment to a model of dignified, useful employment with individualized support.
Currently, its staff is made up of 40 professionals, 87.5% of whom are people with disabilities, and 72% with intellectual disabilities. Since its beginnings in 1992 as a Special Employment Center, APADEFIM 2000 has developed a wide range of industrial and service activities: handling, product packaging, selective waste collection, laundry and used oil management, document destruction and cleaning.
Commitment to employment and inclusion
Fundación Personas is firmly committed to employment as the backbone of social inclusion. The support of the Junta de Castilla y León, through lines of aid to maintain employment, support for workers with special difficulties, professional accompaniment and investment in new projects, is key to continue promoting this model, which benefits society as a whole.
The visit was also attended by the Director General of Social Economy and the Self-Employed, Emma Fernández, and the regional delegate of the Junta in Segovia, Raquel Alonso.
Fundación Personas appreciates the interest of the institutions in learning about our daily work and the work of so many people who make it possible.
