Anonymous
By Jeannie Barbieri-Low, volunteer media liaison of the Mayor’s Award Committee
Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo honored four local businesses and community organizations for their outstanding support of people with disabilities at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 28: United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, Gelson’s, Old Navy, and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital and CRH Foundation.
The 16th annual awards celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, held each October. This year’s theme of “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion” highlighted the need for people with disabilities to fully access employment and community opportunities during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Keynote speaker and disability advocate Dominick Trevethan shared his experiences in navigating the higher education system and the need for inclusion.
United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County won this year’s Non-Profit Award for embracing the spirit of inclusion and accessibility, demonstrated by its inclusive mentoring and hiring practices. UBGC has provided a positive work environment for volunteers and interns with disabilities who have later been hired as staff. They welcomed Taylor, a young man with disabilities, as a volunteer and later promoted Taylor to a part-time staff member. Boys and Girls Club CEO Michael Baker noted Taylor’s popularity with United club kids and ability to make meaningful connections. Baker emphasized UBGC is an inclusive environment and serves all children in the community.
Gelson’s was recognized with the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Effort for going above and beyond to support people disabilities. One of Gelson’s corporate values is to serve their community, which includes partnering with organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Oscar Perez, Senior Director of Operations, acknowledged a lot of energy is devoted to mentoring employees, including staff member Maria, a valued member of the team. He remarked the award is a wonderful celebration of these employee’s hard work and success.
Old Navy was presented with the Employment / Accommodation Award as an employer who reflects the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act in employment practices. This year’s award recognized Old Navy’s State Street store for providing an inclusive and welcoming work experience and environment for young adults, including foster and LGBTQIA+ youth. Staff work with youth in areas of their strengths and grant mental health days. The store has hired many students with disabilities through a state Work Experience program funded by the Department of Rehabilitation. Assistant Manager December Martinez Toyooka and Assistant General Manager Jackie Avelar accepted the award and emphasized the company is dedicated to mentoring and creating career paths, regardless of any roadblocks, and is 100 percent inclusive.
Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation was designated this year’s Design/Accessibility Award winner for programs and services that have helped thousands of community members with physical disabilities navigate the frequently inaccessible world around them. Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital provides comprehensive inpatient services, outpatient services, and community programs, such as adaptive sports and recreation programs. Dr. Sharon Basham, Medical Director, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, expressed gratitude for serving more than 700 patients last year. Arie Dejong, Vice President of Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital and Therapy Services, noted the important role the Foundation plays in supporting the hospital, including providing funding for community programs, and financial assistance to under or uninsured individuals. Dejong announced the Hospital and Foundation are embarking on the major initiative of relocating to the main campus of Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital over the next three years.
This year’s event organizers included representatives from each of the following: California Department of Rehabilitation, City of Santa Barbara, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Workforce Development Board, Goodwill Industries, Momentum WORK, Inc., and PathPoint; and community volunteers Pamela Gunther, Julie Holmes, and Dominick Trevethan.
2021 Awardee Photos
Top left
OUTSTANDING EFFORT AWARD: Gelson’s
Ryan Berg, Store Director
Top right
EMPLOYMENT/ACCOMMODATION AWARD: Old Navy
Jaqueline Avelar, Assistant General Manager
Bottom right
DESIGN/ACCESSIBILITY AWARD: Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital and CRH Foundation (left to right)
Dr. Sharon Basham, Medical Director, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital
Renee Nordstrand, Chair, Board of Directors CRH Foundation
Arie Dejong, Vice President of Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital and Therapy Services
Bottom left
NON-PROFIT AWARD: United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County
(left to right)
Taylor, staff member and CEO, Michael Baker
