We're excited to recognize four Minnesota businesses as Outstanding Disability Employers. The honorees consist of companies large and small from a variety of industries across the state.
“Hiring and retaining employees of all abilities strengthens diversity, fosters inclusion, and adds creative energy to the state’s workforce,” says Robin Harkonen, President of MOHR and Executive Director of East Range DAC. “While thousands of businesses in Minnesota employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, our honorees go the extra mile to foster inclusive environments and ensure their employees with disabilities are given opportunities to grow.”
Trader Joe's - Bloomington, Minn.
Nominated by Partnership Resources
For more than 11 years, Trader Joe’s Bloomington location has worked with Partnership Resources to employ people with disabilities. As an employer, the company embodies its mission to create a sense of community, ensuring that each employee is supported and given opportunities to grow.
The individuals employed at Trader Joe’s are trained in every area of the store, including but not limited to assisting customers, cashiering, stocking the shelves, collecting carts, and running the sample booths.
As the individuals begin work, they are assigned a mentor who they know they can ask questions and get support from. Trader Joe’s management also regularly checks in with the employee, adjusting shift lengths or job tasks as needed. For example, when one individual had difficulty stocking the bottom shelf of canned goods, Trader Joe's and the job coach reviewed options and switched the individual to stock the frozen section instead, allowing them to stand and be more comfortable while working. Another individual was having issues with his blood sugar, and Trader Joe's management noticed. They let the job coach know, ensuring that individual got the help they needed. Yet another client stole items from the store. When she returned the items the next day, rather than punishing her, her manager worked with her to create a system to help her with the impulse to take things. After the system was created, there was not another incident.
“We are grateful for partners like Trader Joe’s Bloomington that go above and beyond to provide person-centered support for individuals with disabilities to thrive as team members and add value to the work environment,” says Lena McDowall, a designated coordinator with Partnership Resources, Inc.
In addition to fostering a supportive work environment, Trader Joe’s also pays their employees well and offers reviews and pay raises every six months, though Trader Joe's allows the individuals to either readjust their hours or reject the raise to maintain state benefits.
"At Traders Joe's we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce, that includes people with disabilities recognizing that their unique perspectives and skills strengthen our workforce as well as represent the community we serve.” - Jack Davidge, Store Manager
Herb and Arrow - Wabasha, Minn.
Nominated by Wabasha County DAC
When Herb and Arrow opened their doors in 2021, one of the owners, Heather, had recently given birth to a baby girl with a disability. As she started the journey of what life is like to have a child with a disability, she was certain that she was going to give a job opportunity to an individual with a disability in her new restaurant. Heather called Wabasha County DAC before their opening day asking about hiring a service recipient, and what that process was like (it’s the same as hiring any other individual).
From the first day Jenny started her job at Herb and Arrow, she was treated like family and was even offered the opportunity snip the ribbon during the grand opening celebration. The staff trained her in a way that ensured she would be successful in her role and routinely looks for ways to help her broaden her skill set.
Each day, Jenny is treated like family. Herb and Arrow even provide her with lunch and ensures that the meals fits her care plan. For World Down Syndrome Day each year, Jenny designs the daily special that is sold to the community. Herb and Arrow have also been extremely accommodating of her busy schedule, allowing her to spend time with her family on weekends, participate in Special Olympics events, and attend summer camps.
Working at Herb and Arrow has improved Jenny's life tremendously. Getting a sizable paycheck has allowed her to participate in activities she enjoys and purchase clothes that she would not be able to afford otherwise. The job has also has given her a significant sense of purpose in her life. Her favorite days are the days she gets to go to work.
Beyond employment, Herb and Arrow has also helped Jenny integrate into the Wabasha community by including her in social media promotions, making sure she gets customer contact when she's at work, and offering her work time during town celebrations like Grumpy Old Men Festival.
“Employers like Herb and Arrow help bridge the inclusion gap that still exists between individuals with intellectual disabilities and everyone else,” says Ty Gaedtke, executive director at Wabasha County DAC. “The individuals we work with have been continually pushed to the fringes of society, and haven't been afforded the same opportunities for developing meaningful connections with anyone except their family members and staff. Employers hiring individuals with disabilities not only allows them to build the natural community supports that are so important for their mental health, but also gives them the opportunity to make a wage so they can participate in other activities that add meaning to their lives.”
Along with being an outstanding employer, Herb and Arrow is a great partner for Wabasha County DAC and has even spoken on behalf of all workers with disabilities.
“The staff at Herb + Arrow have set the bar for how an employer should work with their employees with disabilities, and should serve as a model organization for other businesses to emulate.” - Ty Gaedtke, Executive Director at Wabasha County DAC
Family Fresh Market - St. Peter, Minn.
Nominated by MRCI
Family Family Fresh Market has been a proud partner in providing competitively paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities as well as partnering with MRCI on training programs for many years.
People served by MRCI who work at Family Fresh Market take on tasks including bagging groceries, stocking shelves, assisting with plant care in the garden center, and maintaining the dining area. These roles help them gain valuable work experience and keep the store running smoothly.
Where Family Fresh Market goes the extra mile is in creating a welcoming environment for employees with disabilities. The company actively recruits and hires people with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities. It offers regular check-ins and support from management so that employees with disabilities can feel valued and included. The market provides necessary accommodations such as modified workstations and flexible schedules to make work easier. Employees receive training on how to support colleagues with disabilities to foster a supportive work culture. And finally, the store is designed to be accessible, with features like wide aisles and accessible restrooms.
"Inclusive practices foster innovation, enhance employee engagement, and create a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected,” says Casey Westhoff, CEO of MRCI.
Notably, Family Fresh Market also collaborates with MRCI's Bridge to the Future, a transition program for students wanting to acquire skills and knowledge about competitive jobs in the community and build their resume and confidence. The partnership includes customized training sessions to meet the specific needs and abilities of each participant, and skills development work.
“Inclusive practices foster innovation, enhance employee engagement, and create a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected." - Casey Westhoff, CEO of MRCI
BWBR - St. Paul, Minn.
Nominated by Partnership Resources
The best employers genuinely care about the people who work for them. BWBR, a team of professionals specializing in commercial architecture, interior design, planning, and research, is the perfect example of this.
For seven years, BWBR has worked with Partnership Resources to employ Kat as an office assistant. Her tasks vary from day to day, but generally include cleaning and stocking the conference rooms and the lunch area as well as completing any task asked by her supervisor. Like any other employee, she has her own workstation with a computer and a company email to connect with her colleagues.
One day, Kat didn't show up to work. The team at BWBR was concerned and called her to find out where she was. Then, when she didn't answer her phone, they called several of her emergency contacts who found her incapacitated on the floor at her home and rushed her to the hospital. Kat remained there for several months undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. BWBR supported her every step of the way, keeping her job open by hiring a temp worker and staying in touch with her and her family. When she was ready to return to her job, BWBR worked with both Kat and the temp worker to create a cohesive work environment and ease her back into the office environment.
“BWBR is an outstanding disability employer because of the care and support they provide to the individual they employ,” says Lena McDowall, a designated coordinator at Partnership Resources, Inc. “During her sudden and long illness, they waited for her to regain strength to return to the position that means so much to her. They consistently demonstrate that she is valued and truly part of the team.”
Kat is very proud to work at BWBR. During her hospital stay, she always wanted to get back to work. She is fiercely independent and the job with BWBR allows her to enjoy that independence.
“Working with Kat has taught us that progress comes from embracing diverse perspectives and adapting our approach to meet unique needs.” - Shelby Davison, Office Services Coordinator
To view the corresponding photos, click here.
