Submitted by Sherwood Community Services.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that in recognition of the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation’s workforce diverse and inclusive, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation” has been chosen as the theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month acknowledges the contributions to the nation’s economy made by workers with disabilities, current and past. The commemoration also showcases supportive and inclusive policies and practices benefiting workers and employers.

“A strong workforce is the sum of many parts, and disability has always been a key part of the equation,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “People with disabilities make up a wonderfully multifaceted group. By recognizing the full complexion of our community, we can ensure our efforts to achieve disability inclusion are, in fact, truly inclusive.”

Here in San Juan County, the commemoration continues. Sherwood Community Services is a local provider supporting workers who experience any kind of disability. Sherwood Believes in Abilities and strives to match employers with eager workers who share a connection or interest in the work that is needed. Through Supported Employment, employers and employees benefit from tailored support and training. We work one on one to ensure quality work and job satisfaction is achieved through collaboration and ongoing communication.

Crystal is called the “Pasta Diva” because she creates handmade pasta from scratch at Monti’s, the new Italian Restaurant on Orcas Island. Crystal shared that one of her favorite things to do is to cook. The thing she likes to eat best, why pasta of course! We were able to match Crystal’s desires with the need for prep help at Monti’s.

Each week as Crystal gets ready to depart, her Supervisor, Chef Joshua Hernandez shares all the work he is able to accomplish because of the assistance Crystal provides. It’s a reminder that her work is valuable to the restaurant. She is an integral part of the Monti’s family. Monti’s believes in Crystal’s abilities.

This summer the team at Sherwood Community Services met many potential workers who are looking for a way to make a contribution in their community. We also had the pleasure of meeting local business owners who are struggling to find stable employees. The Sherwood team is confident that Supported Employment is a valuable piece of the puzzle, connecting those workers with the businesses looking to hire, and supporting the overall economic health and well-being of San Juan County. We would love the opportunity to make these connections with you. We invite you to Believe in Abilities with us!

Please reach out to Sherwood’s San Juan team at 360-317-6081.