Letter from the CEO

As a parent of a child with a significant disability, I know firsthand that people with disabilities are still told “No” far too often when searching for opportunities or answers. Northwest Center is committed to removing those barriers and creating change through programs that span from cradle through career.
 
We’re grateful to you for being just as committed as we are. You demonstrated your commitment with incredible generosity that broke donation and attendance records at our recent events, the Golden Hearts Luncheon and The Derby. You demonstrate it with the trust you show by allowing us to work with your children, like Gavin. And you demonstrate it when you hire people of all abilities, like Jesse.

As I write this, it’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the perfect time to encourage you to work with Northwest Center to find talented employees. Northwest Center helps employers solve critical business problems by matching job seekers’ abilities with their business needs. An inclusive workforce will help you solve problems with retention and absenteeism while improving quality, productivity, and safety. We know, because we walk the walk: nearly 40 percent of Northwest Center’s employees have a documented disability. And we have the data to prove that for businesses nationwide, inclusion is a strategic differentiator providing a significant competitive advantage.
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If you are an employer, here’s what I challenge you to do today:

1. Evaluate your current workforce, and ask yourself if it’s truly inclusive—or can you do better?
2. Commit to hiring candidates with disabilities who demonstrate they have the ability to do the job.
3. Don’t try to go it alone. Contact Northwest Center (206-285-9140, www.nwcenter.org/inclusion) and let us help you fully realize the benefits of inclusion. We’ll connect you with talented individuals to add to your workforce, and we’ll provide on-the-job support for your employees and managers for as long as it’s needed.

We envision a world where individual talent meets unlimited opportunity. Thank you for joining us to create the truly inclusive society we all deserve.
 
Onward and Upward,

Gene Boes
President & CEO

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