LIHU‘E — The store was bustling with the normal Saturday traffic as activity paused in the Lihu‘e branch for a brief time as both the Lihu‘e and Koloa branches of Big Save, Inc. were presented special awards as part of
LIHU‘E — The store was bustling with the normal Saturday traffic as activity paused in the Lihu‘e branch for a brief time as both the Lihu‘e and Koloa branches of Big Save, Inc. were presented special awards as part of their recognition for being the Vocational Rehabilitation “Employer of the Year.” Brenda Viado, the Kaua‘i Branch administrator for Vocational Rehabilitation, said the Big Save has been nominated several times for their work with rehabilitants, and, it was this year that, due to the special programs developed by the Big Save ohana, that they were recognized as Kaua‘i’s Employer of the Year.
“Two Big Save locations in particular, the Koloa and Lihu‘e stores, have consistently opened their doors to provide countless job opportunities to our persons with disabilities on Kaua‘i Viado said. Pat Apilado, the manager for the Koloa store, and Lusalle Andrade, the manager for the Lihu‘e store have individually worked with VR counselors in the past, but this year, they collaborated in providing a unique training experience and environment for a new deaf employee that started work at the Koloa store.
With the help of Ignacio “Iggy” Mercado, a former VR participant who is deaf, Big Save worked out a system where the new Koloa trainee job shadowed Mercado at the Lihu‘e store. Following this period of familiarization and training, Mercado was temporarily transferred to Koloa where he provided the new employee with hands-on on-the-job training in order that training could be done in American Sign Language.
This extra effort resulted in another successful placement for a Kaua‘i client.
As further testament to the success of the VR program, it was noted that Mercado has since been promoted to the position of Grocery Lead at the Lihu‘e store since his initial placement. Debra Matsumoto, the Kauai VR counselor who made the nomination said she once was an employee of Big Save under Gary Furugen who was in the audience to extend his congratulations to the managers and staff, and through her personal experience noted that Big Save concerns itself with community and family.
Matsumoto said that the aloha spirit is practiced by everyone in the firm from management on down, and when hiring people for their successful operation, Big Save looks at abilities, not disabilities. “Big Save continues to be a shining example of loyalty and ingenuity, with an unwavering belief in our participants” abilities. Thank you, Big Save “you have brought the meaning of ‘neighborhood’ to a new level on Kaua‘i,” Matsumoto said.
Congratulations and the presentation of awards was done by Joy Patterson, Employment Staff Specialist representing Neil Shim, the state VR administrator. Patterson explained that roughly 80 percent of the funding for the VR program comes from the Federal government with the state putting in the remaining 20 percent.
The VR program served 6,403 citizens with disabilities throughout the state in 2003, Patterson said. Additionally, 617 individuals achieved employment outcomes, and 593 were placed in competitive jobs.
Claudette Hooser and Judge Alfred Laureta, representing State Sen. Gary Hooser who was tied up in a day-long educational summit on O‘ahu, made a special state senatorial presentation to both stores applauding the stores’ efforts as providing opportunities for the island’s peoples.
The purpose of the VR program is to assist persons with disabilities attain employment. VR specialists and participants develop individualized plans for employment that meet their needs. Services may include vocational assessments, diagnosis and treatment of impairments, vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, rehabilitation technology services, supported employment, and other training, job placement, and follow-up.
The economic benefits of the VR Program are significant, including increased earnings and purchasing power, increased taxes paid, and a decreased dependency on public assistance. As persons with disabilities achieve the employment outcomes intended by the program, they become taxpaying citizens and more than “pay back” the costs of their program.
