Vadis, an agency based in Sumner that helps connect people with disabilities to employers in King, Pierce and Kitsap counties, recently selected the Marshalls fashion stores in Bonney Lake and Lakewood as the 2012 Pierce County Employer of the Year.
In Bonney Lake, Marshalls has employed Christy Poe as the stock room assistant since June of last year.
“We have been working with Marshalls for about 10 years, as they have grown more confident in their ability to successfully hire people (with disabilities) and help them to be successful,” said Karen DiPol, Vadis’ employment services manager. “(Marshalls) has become increasingly more optimistic about someone who appears to have challenges, actually have hidden potential.”
Attempts by the Herald to reach a Marshalls representative for comment were unsuccessful.
DiPol said that the award is one that is given to a deserving employer in each county served by Vadis annually.
“We work with 100 to 200 employers in any given year, so it is quite an honor for one to be selected,” DiPol said. “This is the first time Marshalls has received the award.”
Vadis has an on-site staff person that works with Poe in developing her skills and ensuring the relationship between Poe and her employer becomes stronger each day. DiPol said Vadis’ ultimate mission is to work with each person until they are ready to be independent and until the employer is confident in the relationship with the employee.
Poe is legally blind and deaf. DiPol said that at first Marshalls in Bonney Lake were concerned they wouldn’t be able to communicate with Poe. But now, Poe and her co-workers are all learning sign language.
On the Marshalls website it explains, “We’re on a mission. At Marshalls, we believe that doing business responsibly means creating value for shoppers, associates and the community. We seek opportunities that benefit our business and the environment ... We care about the community.”
DiPol said the Marshalls store at the Lakewood Towne Center and the Marshalls store in Bonney Lake epitomize that commitment to the community.
Reporter Andrew Fickes can be reached at 253-552-7001 or by email at andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @herald_andrew.
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Marshalls fashion store honored for commitment to people with disabilities
Vadis, an agency based in Sumner that helps connect people with disabilities to employers in King, Pierce and Kitsap counties, recently selected the Marshalls fashion stores in Bonney Lake and Lakewood as the 2012 Pierce County Employer of the Year.
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