Contact: Merritt T. Carey, 207-828-4882 or merritt@graffamsolutions.com; www.ExpandingMainesWorkforce.com
Business Coalition Holds Successful Symposium to Address Employment for People with Disabilities
Working Together, a coalition of Maine businesses seeking to increase the employment of people with disabilities, held its inaugural symposium on Friday, October 19 at the Maple Hill Farm Conference Center in Hallowell. The event was attended by Maine businesses and Governor John Baldacci. Stonewall Kitchen, Wild Oats Bakery & Café and MEMIC all received awards for their efforts employing people with disabilities.
The Symposium focused on the benefits to employers when providing opportunities to workers with disabilities.
"We are extremely pleased with the support we’re receiving from the business community," says Merritt Carey of GraffamSolutions, business partner liaison for Working Together. "The Symposium was a great inaugural event for us and we look forward to continuing to build our business coalition."
A number of businesses signed the Working Together Pledge at the Symposium. In signing the pledge, businesses commit to supporting the recruitment and hiring of workers with disabilities and creating a corporate environment that is disability friendly.
MEMIC sponsored the Symposium and business members Stonewall Kitchen, Mad Gabs, Black Cherry Provisions and Wild Oats Bakery & Café also provided support.
The Governor in his opening remarks focused on Maine’s aging work force and the many veterans with disabilities who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan looking for jobs.
Of the businesses attending the Symposium the Governor remarked “I want to commend the businesses that are being recognized today, and the individuals who are here today representing various businesses and organizations. This is very important to the state.”
The Working Together group is recruiting additional businesses to participate in its network. More information can be found at : www.ExpandingMainesWorkforce.com.