DUNN LUMBER, ATWORK!
SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GREAT HIRES, WATCH THE VIDEO
AtWork! Featured on National Radio Broadcast
AtWork! CEO Chris Brandt was interviewed for broadcast August 25th on the Disabilities At Work radio program. Host Ray Zardetto focused the program on Customized Employment and the value to businesses of hiring people with disabilities.
Also interviewed were Bob Hargadon, Vice President of Human Resources for Drugstore.com and Guy Silver, Director of Employee Communications for Costco Wholesale, Inc.
The hour long broadcast explored the benefits to businesses in hiring people with disabilities, the value of customizing a job that meets business needs and matches the skills and abilities of a person with disabilities, and the real sense of community that can be created in the workplace.
Click the audio link above to hear the entire broadcast.
AtWork! Hawaiian Summer Barbecue
Although the weather forecast didn’t sound too promising, the sun came out all the same for AtWork!’s annual summer barbecue. As always, Bingo was a big hit, taking a close second to food. Master grillers CEO Chris Brandt and her sidekick, Board President Bob Strayhan, served up hot dogs and hamburgers, generously donated by Fischer Meats of Issaquah.
AtWork! is grateful to all those who contributed food and donations to make our event such a big hit. Thanks go to Costco Wholesale, Inc., Fischer Meats, Panera Bread, and Party City. Thanks also to AtWork! friends and family members Rita Cromwell, Ralph and Marjorie Domenowske, Irene and Larry Harvitz, Shawna Stanberry, Harold and Janell Sutton, Linda Panattoni, Wendy Randall, Winter Taylor, and Charlotte Trenner.
Kiwanis Club of Issaquah & AtWork! Establish Kiwanis Aktion Club
Chris Brandt, AtWork! CEO, is leading an effort to involve people with disabilities in the community of Issaquah through a partnership with Kiwanis Clubs knows as "Aktion Club." Brandt, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah, organized a community meeting for advocates for people with disabilities, with a goal of creating support for an Aktion Club in Issaquah. Twelve adults with disabilities joined the new Aktion Club at the first meeting on June 17, 2010.
Kiwanis has long been known for supporting clubs for high school aged youth called Key Clubs, service leadership programs organized and supported by local Kiwanis Clubs. Aktion Clubs operate the same way. "They elect their officers, they fundraise, they offer support where it is needed in their community," Brandt said, and essentially do the same things Kiwanis Clubs do. "This program will help members develop leadership skills, develop contacts in the community, and it will connect people with disabilities with their community," said Brandt.
By being left out of social organizations and peer or professional groups, people with disabilities often feel ostracized and are denied all the benefits that come with being part of a community – connections, support, and economic and social opportunities.
For the new club's very first service project the members assisted members of the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah with their food booth fundraiser at Issaquah's Concert on the Green, June 20th. Next, Members plan to help the Kiwanis Community Services Committee with a school supply drive later this month. They will work alongside Kiwanis club members to sort school supplies and fill back packs. The completed back packs will be delivered to the food bank for distribution to kids who can't afford to buy their own.
Aktion Club members have elected their officers and will soon hold their first board meeting to adopt bylaws and select a name for their club. Once these organizational activities have been accomplished the club will apply for its official charter from Kiwanis International. Aktion Club Coordinators are Chris Brandt, AtWork! CEO, and Christy Teel, AtWork! Project Manager.
CEO Chris Brandt — Customized Employment
AtWork! CEO Chris Brandt had the opportunity to participate in an in depth television interview for the Northwest Focus show. Hosted by Erin Larson, Northwest Focus is a public affairs program dedicated to exploring issues in and around the community. The show airs each Saturday at 6:00 and 6:30 AM on KWPX (Seattle) and KGPX (Spokane). Northwest Focus is produced by KWPX TV. Check your local listings for your ION channel.
The AtWork! segment will be repeated periodically throughout the month of August 2010.
AtWork! Receives Generous Donation from Genie Industries, Inc.
Genie Industries' Mike Northcott presents AtWork! CEO Chris Brandt with a check.
AtWork! received a wonderful surprise June 29th at the Board meeting. Board Member and Genie Industries employee Mike Northcott presented AtWork! CEO Chris Brandt with a check for $1,142.50, proceeds from the Spring 2010 Genie merchandise sale. AtWork! is grateful to the employees of the Genie Industries Redmond South Campus for choosing AtWork! as a recipient and wants to thank everyone for such great generosity.
AtWork! relies on the generosity of donors who understand that, for people with disabilities, a job can mean so much more than a paycheck. AtWork! is dedicated to creating meaningful skill-building opportunities for people with disabilities. Working closely with employers in the community, AtWork! designs customized employment solutions that enhance workplace productivity, as well as the lives of AtWork! clients. AtWork! also offers clients a range of training and employment opportunities in its own landscaping, recycling, and document management services.
Dunn Lumber Receives Business Leadership Award
The Dunn Lumber Company has been awarded the Business Leadership Award from the Alliance of Eastside Agencies (AEA) for their outstanding dedication and vision in the human services arena. Mark Sjolund, Manager of the Bellevue Dunn Lumber store, and Darwin Lagos, a Dunn Lumber Employee and an AtWork! client, accepted the award on behalf of Dunn Lumber at the June 9th Awards Luncheon, held at the Bear Creek Country Club in Woodinville. Each year, the AEA holds a luncheon to celebrate outstanding contributions to human services in East King County. The awards honor agency staff and volunteers, organizations, businesses, and elected officials who exemplify and edify the spirit of service on the Eastside. The Dunn Lumber Company was nominated for the award by AtWork!.
L-R: Bob Strayhan, AtWork! Board Chair; Mark Sjolunde, Manager of the Bellevue Dunn Lumber Store; Darwin Lagos, Dunn Lumber employee and AtWork! client; Chris Brandt, AtWork! CEO. Photographer: Adele Taggart
The Dunn Lumber Company views its employees as if they are an extended part of its family. As Mike Dunn, President of Dunn Lumber, said, "We got into this [hiring persons with disabilities] with one or two individuals and just saw it grow. It matched our company and family values, and employing people with disabilities just became an extension of that commitment to community." Today, Dunn Lumber has a person with disabilities working in eight out of their twelve store locations and has an ambition to have at least one person with a disability in every store.
AtWork! is a 47-year-old private, non-profit company based in Bellevue and Issaquah, Washington, providing employment services to people with disabilities throughout King County, by helping them to learn marketable skills; find and keep good jobs in the community; and earn wages and benefits that help them escape poverty. AEA, established in 2001, is an association of over 60 non-profit organizations and government agencies on the eastside, providing a unified voice for Eastside health and human services providers in order to protect and build healthy communities.
AtWork! Art Reception Makes the News
Reporter Dana Rebik, from Fox Q13 News in Seattle, visited the Seattle Artist Studio to video tape a story about AtWork!’s April 22nd Art Reception.
AtWork! has partnered with Creative Activities/VSA arts of Washington to decorate the walls of its Bellevue Headquarters Building and with each new showing, hosts an artists’ reception to introduce the art and the artists to the public.
Two artists, are featured in this news story. Earl Debman has two works in the current show, and Dede Domenoske, an AtWork! client, has one work on exhibit. In all, there are 27 pieces in the current show. The works are for sale and will be on display during office hours, 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, through the month of June 2010.
Benefit Breakfast Raises $92,000
Mark Sjolunde accepts the Supporter of the Year Award on behalf of Dunn Lumber.
What a wonderful and magical morning. AtWork! welcomed over 350 guests to the ballroom at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue, Thursday morning, March 25th. Our emcee was Dennis Bounds, King 5 News Anchor and, himself, the parent of a person with disabilities. Dennis helped to introduce our speakers, Board Chair Bob Strayhan and CEO Chris Brandt.
AtWork! was proud to present its Supporter of the Year Award to the Dunn Lumber Company for its commitment to hiring people with disabilities in each of its 12 stores. The video, which you can view on our website, profiled Darwin, a Dunn Lumber employee and AtWork! client, whose employment not only provides value to the company, but also is vital the sustainability of his family.
Margaret Padilla talks with Dennis Bounds of King 5 News about her new job at Drugstore.com.
A highlight of the morning was Dennis's interview with Margaret Padilla. Margaret is a new employee of Drugstore.com and very proud of her journey from working in a sheltered workshop to a job in the community. Although she rehearsed her presentation many times, getting up in front of a large crowd almost overwhelmed her. Dennis brought out the best in her, and the audience was charmed by her excitement and enthusiasm for this new opportunity in her life.
The Reverend Kenneth Ransfer closed the morning with a very impassioned request for support. Together we raised $92,000 for people with disabilities. We sincerely thank our Supporting Sponsors, Costco Wholesale and Russ & Gretchen Keithly, and our Contributing Sponsors, Mike & Kim Cave, Coinstar, Inc., Paul Egly, and Xtreme Consulting Group, Inc.
AtWork! has made a commitment to leave no one behind. That means we will sustain our commitments to people with complex support needs, people whom others might label as too disabled to work or unemployable. Because of the outpouring of generosity received that morning, we will be able to fulfill that commitment.
AtWork! is proud to honor Dunn Lumber as our Supporter of the Year
Dunn Lumber views its employees as if they are an extended part of its family and treats them as such. Mike Dunn, Company President, said, "We got into this with one or two individuals and just saw it grow. It matched our company and family values, and employing people with disabilities just became an extension of that commitment to community."
Today, Dunn Lumber has a person with disabilities working in eight out of their twelve store locations and have an ambition to have at least one person with a disability in every store.
Watch this engaging video to learn how having a job and feeling valued has profoundly impacted the life of one person with a disability and his family.
AtWork! & USArchive Sign Partnership MOU
Present for the signing were the negotiating team (back row, left to right): Bob Thompson, CFO for AtWork!, Eric Hallberg, Director of Business Development for AtWork!, and Noreen Plath, Vice President of Business Operations for USArchive. Seated: Mick Plath President & CEO of USArchive, and Chris Brandt, CEO of AtWork!
On March 5th, AtWork! and USArchive signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create "USArchive, Powered By AtWork!." Chris Brandt, CEO of AtWork!, and Mick Plath, President and CEO of USArchive, signed the MOU, which guides the creation of a partnership to provide document management services to government and private firms who need digitized records and document destruction.
"USArchive brings the technical expertise we need to expand into this new line of business," said Brandt. "It will help us to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities well into the future."
"We have been talking about this vision for a unique partnership for a very long time," said Plath. "It is a great marriage of our technical and marketing and sales experience and AtWork!'s experience operating and managing large contracts."
USArchive is a privately held company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and is an imaging solutions provider for government and commercial business. They provide production and business career training to the local and national community of people with disabilities through a significant revenue-generating growth model that delivers shareholder value.
AtWork! is a 47-year-old private, non-profit company based in Bellevue, Washington, providing employment services to people with disabilities throughout King County, by helping them to learn marketable skills; find and keep good jobs in the community; and earn wages and benefits that help them escape poverty.
Flex Office or Storage Space Available
AtWork! has flex office or storage space available for lease in The Hallock Building, located at 1935 152nd Place NE, in Bellevue. The location is minutes from the Microsoft campus, close to restaurants and retail, has convenient access to SR-520, a separate entrance, free parking, and we are offering a bonus discount for non-profit use.
Click here for more information and pictures (PDF).
Hear two employers talk about the positive impact of hiring people with disabilities
Two new videos showcase employers who have hired AtWork! clients.
Facilities Manager Sean Schwendler talks about the opportunity to hire Hayden on the custodial crew at the Washington Square condominium complex in downtown Bellevue.
Mark Sjolund, Manager for Dunn Lumber in Bellevue, talks about the value of hiring a person with disabilities and the impact AtWork! client Darwin has on his co-workers.
Learn more about the benefits to your business of hiring a person with disabilities on the Employer Services page of this website.
AtWork! Goes to the Movies
November 10th, the City of Issaquah's Resource Conservation Office held its quarterly Sustainability Movie Night, showing the movie Addicted to Plastic, which showcases three years of filming in five continents, including two trips to the Pacific Ocean. The documentary explores the history of plastic during the last 100 years, as well as current solutions related to recycling and biodegradability.
As an education and outreach partner, AtWork! had a table of information about recycling and employment services for people with disabilities. About 145 area residents attended who are committed to environmental causes and eager to learn about important sustainability topics.
Kevin Malin, Recycling Center Crew Supervisor, Christy Teel, Project Manager for Manufacturing, Assembly & Recycling, and Dennis Wajda, Lead Employment Consultant, were on hand to help the public learn about AtWork!'s Recycle Center on Juniper Street in Issaquah, and provide information about AtWork!'s employment services for people with disabilities.
These free community events are open to all residents and are meant to educate and inform residents about timely environmental and sustainability topics. They are funded in part by a grant from the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program and are meant to help educate residents and to foster and facilitate behavior change.
Our Own Bob Nissley Wins Governor’s Award
Bob Nissley
Each year the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment and the Washington State Business Leadership Network coordinate the Governor’s Employer Awards Program, recognizing public, private and non-profit employers for their efforts to recruit, hire, and promote individuals with disabilities. On October 9th, Bob Nissley won the Governor’s Trophy in Memory of Carolyn Blair Brown, awarded to an individual who has significantly enhanced the empowerment of people with disabilities through employment, public service, advocacy, and other avenues. Mr. Nissley is a person with quadriplegia, the result of a gymnastics accident when he was 17. With the help and support of family, friends and the Issaquah community, he became a career volunteer and activist for accessibility and disability issues. He worked with the City of Issaquah to develop an accessibility plan for the downtown area; he served on a Metro Transit advisory committee to help plan accessible transit; and for 32 years he has volunteered with AtWork!, first as the Payroll Accountant and Production Manager and most recently as Director of Computer Services. He also served a number of years on the board of directors.
L-R: June Willard; Chris Brandt, AtWork! CEO; Jerry Nissley; and Ray Nissley, accepting the award on Mr. Nissley’s behalf.
In accepting the award, Mr. Nissley said, “When I first learned that I was being nominated by AtWork! ... I felt immediately that I was already a winner where it was most important to me, that was in the eyes of the people who are committed to keeping the heart of AtWork! beating strong and loud in the communities we serve and in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.”
AtWork! was also pleased to nominate Costco Wholesale, Inc., for the Private Employer award for large companies with more than 250 employees.
Costco Wholesale is a company that values diversity. They look to hire the best person for the position and value the diversity that all employees bring to the workplace. The company began hiring persons with disabilities served by AtWork! in 1999, when Rory was hired for their headquarters recycle team. Jennifer followed right behind, and now the team numbers four. All receive full benefits as Costco employees. AtWork! heard from employment programs across the state that have found success in connecting persons with disabilities who are looking for a job with Costco Warehouse Stores. People with disabilities hired by Costco have been hired because they are a great fit for the position. The company fosters a family atmosphere in which employees thrive and succeed. Open communication has kept the working relationship exciting and viable. Costco is a role model for other large corporations.
Volunteers donate bountiful harvest to local food bank
September 29, 2009
By Warren Kagarise
Volunteers have harvested more than 300 pounds of organic peppers, squash and tomatoes for the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, and volunteers said the center can expect more bounty as summer comes to a close. Organizers said the community garden attracted unprecedented support from gardeners and volunteers.
