In July, the Disability Advisory Committee of the Monterey County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and the One Stop Career Center will partner on their second annual event to honor local employers who have successfully recruited and hired employees with disabilities. Employees from the companies who have outstanding job performance also will be recognized.

The employer award recipients from last year’s inaugural event included the Department of Social and Employment Services, CalWORKs Employment Services; J.C. Penny Company; Portola Plaza Hotel at Monterey Bay; Safeway; Sodexho; Starbucks Coffee Company; State Compensation Insurance Fund; Target and Thinker Toys.

Jocelyn Rosete, a 2006 employee awardee from the Department of Social and Employment Services, CalWORKs Employment Services said, “I received my bachelor’s degree and was lucky enough to obtain my first real job right out of school. Even though I have a physical limitation, I see myself just like everybody else. I pride myself in knowing that people acknowledge my loyalty and hard work based on the person that I am, not on my disability.”

One of the purposes of the event is to provide information to people with disabilities and employers regarding how they can benefit from the One Stop Career Center services. Last year’s event attracted 250 people, greatly increasing the pool of employers using the One Stop Career Center.

Last year, local elected officials including Congressman Sam Farr, Assemblymember Simón Salinas, Supervisor Jerry Smith, and Mayor Ralph Rubio, City of Seaside were on hand to present the awards.

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