History of JCI

JCI was established in 1975 as a 501(c)(3) community rehabilitation facility. 

It was the vision of Mr. Nolan Hinson, who wanted a place of coordinated services dedicated to people with disabilities seeking employment. After securing a $12,000 grant, hiring three staff members, and leasing a 2,000-square-foot building on Truck Lane in Smithfield, the journey began.   JCI needed a bigger space in just one short year and relocated to Short Journey School on Cleveland School Road in Johnston County.  

JCI purchased and later added 1,800 square feet to the former Coca-Cola plant on Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield. In 1980, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an international accrediting organization, surveyed JCI's facilities and awarded our programs the highest accreditation bestowed on community rehabilitation programs. This accreditation demonstrates our best practices and continual improvement in rehabilitation service delivery. 

In 1987 a 3,500-square-foot wood shop was added to this site.   

In 2000, JCI embarked on a new journey to provide services to populations who had disadvantages/barriers. We reached out to the younger generation, who also had barriers to employment, and developed the "Yes I Can Program" for ages 16 to 21. Additionally, JCI began providing workforce development instruction and guidance to high school students with disabilities in Johnston County. 

In 2003, both programs and manufacturing endeavors were growing, and JCI soon built a 10,000-square-foot building in Smithfield to keep up with this demand.  

In 2004, JCI added a 30,000-square-foot program and production facility in Lillington, serving Harnett and Sampson counties, and became ISO-registered. 

In 2007, JCI began operating the Unity House, a psychosocial rehabilitation program in Selma. JCI continued to grow and, by 2008, purchased the 90,000-square-foot facility in Selma, North Carolina.  

In 2011, JCI earned AS9100C Registration and opened the JCI Thrift Store and Donation Center on Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield. 

JCI's Café/Culinary Program became a reality in July of 2011 when grant funding was secured through the Capital Area Workforce Development Board in partnership with Johnston Health and Johnston Community College. This partnership resulted in assistance with the first two years of operation. The program was the first of its kind for residents of Johnston County. 

In 2015 JCI expanded both the Behavioral Health and Youth Services units. Behavioral Health expanded Supported Employment Services to include an evidence-based, individual placement and supportive employment model for persons with mental health and substance abuse barriers. The Adolescent Parenting Transitions program also began providing services to pregnant and parenting students in Johnston County. 

In 2016, JCI began offering Pre Employment Transition Services to students and schools throughout the counties served.  

As we continue on our journey, we pledge to be dedicated and to meet and exceed client and customer needs and expectations. We pledge to foster a culture of continuous improvement, both at the technical and managerial level, by cultivating cooperation and mutual respect among staff members, clients, and customers.