'Serve people with a smile'
OSU nonprofit partnership gives developmentally disabled students jobs on campus
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 2/23/11 Section: News
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Ely Kimberlin, a well-known face at McNary Dining Hall who gained his position as a food server 10 years ago, is one of many positive results of the collaboration between Oregon State University and Work Unlimited.
"I work Monday through Friday. I take the bus, ride my bike or walk," said Kimberlin, who appreciates the aid he received from Work Unlimited. "They're really good about finding people jobs. It may take a little while, but they're good."
Work Unlimited, originally developed through Western Oregon University and now located on Western Boulevard in Corvallis, operates on the mission to "provide vocational training and residential services to individuals with developmental disabilities," according to their website.
Through the years, UHDS and many other organizations on campus have merged with Work Unlimited to find appropriate outlets for employees with developmental disabilities.
As some of the Work Unlimited employees have been on staff for close to a decade and are some of the longest-employed workers in dining and sanitation services, it seems the appropriate outlets have been found.
Joyce Hurlbutt, food and beverage manager of McNary Dining Center who oversees the hiring process, named several places where Work Unlimited has placed their employees.
"I don't know about Arnold, but Marketplace West, the physical plant, yard crew, there are folks that empty the garbage," Hurlbutt said.
McNary employs one of the highest amounts of developmentally disabled workers, who are limited to working 20 hours a week on campus.
"It's a cooperative with LBCC, so the workers are considered students," Hurlbutt said. "McNary has six employees from Work Unlimited. They will come and monitor the progress; it's a pretty good program."
Kim Moore, assistant director of vocational programs at Work Unlimited, said the process is no different from a regular job search.
"They interview, and when there's an opening our clients go to an interview," she said. "It's just like anyone else."
The amount of time it takes to place the clients is highly situational.
"That can vary from a month to six months," Moore said. "It just depends on who the client is and what kind of job they're looking for."
An appropriate assumption would be that there are existing alterations in the training and compensation for employees with special needs, but that is not the case with this organization.
"Payment is absolutely the same as the student employees," Hurlbutt said.
The slight difference lies in the teaching approach taken to prepare Work Unlimited personnel for their job responsibilities.
"Training is the same as any other student," she said. "It's more hands-on; we show by example versus telling."
The skills that these developmentally disabled employees are obtaining with the help of Work Unlimited are proving important in every facet of their life.
"They are learning responsibility, a lot live on their own. They're working to pay rent," said Hurlbutt, who is enthusiastic about the consistent effort put forth by these employees.
Student Phillip Peterson said he frequently dines at McNary and comes in contact with many of the Work Unlimited employees. Peterson said he mostly sees the employees cleaning tables and has only had positive experiences with them.
"There aren't a whole lot of issues. Sometimes portioning too much or wanting to please customers because they're seeking that acceptance," Hurlbutt said of the few problems she has noticed among the developmentally disabled employees. "They're always happy and pleasant to be around. They want to do a good job and they work hard."
When asked what the best part of his job is, Kimberlin said he enjoys the social aspects of his work.
"I like interacting with people and I get to meet lots of people," Kimberlin said. "I serve people with a smile. I'm outgoing and easy to get along with."
Kimberlin's plans to continue working at McNary in the future are based on his work ethic and drive to do the best job possible.
According to Hurlbutt, he isn't the only one of his peers who holds those qualities.
"They're part of the family," she said. "They're very dependable, very proud about the work they're doing and they're a valuable resource."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231, news@dailybarometer.com
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