While the public and politicians focused rightly these days on job losses and industries on the brink, some forward-thinking individuals are finding ways to make this economy work, even for the most vulnerable.

Exhibit A is Napa County’s WineBev Services, featured on the front page of Tuesday’s Register.

Started by United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay, the company was formed in 2008 and now employs more than 50 adults with developmental disabilities. These workers, along with others, are employed at a south Napa County plant packaging bottles of wine into two-packs, four-packs and six-packs for sale by major merchandisers.

The WineBev facility includes areas for the developmentally disabled workers to participate in various therapeutic programs, including arts and crafts.

Margaret Farman, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay, said the WineBev jobs are going “to many people who may have never been paid a fair wage before. Some of them have not had jobs in several years. This rapid growth (of the company) shows that people with disabilities want to work and the opportunities are not being developed and nurtured elsewhere.”

Those opportunities are being nurtured at WineBev, with the help of Foster’s Wine Estates, which gave the company a substantial grant and brought it some business, as well as Sutter Home Winery, another client.

Not only are these organizations coming together to create jobs in Napa County, they are creating jobs for people who have a hard time finding gainful employment even in a roaring economy. We applaud the founders, supporters and workers at WineBev creating economic success in a difficult climate.