Employers of Distinction Awards Reception

The Employers of Distinction award was created to honor those companies that employ people with developmental disabilities and provide a supportive work environment that allows the individual(s) to be successful and to contribute to their company’s bottom line.  Employers of Distinction have committed the time and resources needed to enable this success, boosting the self-esteem of the individual employees, increasing the productivity of their workplaces, and setting an example for the entire business community. 

The Partners of Distinction provide similar opportunity and support for employees with developmental disabilities but do so through contracts with The Arc of Baltimore.

The 2009 Employers of Distinction Award Reception was held on October 21, 2009 with The Honorable Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor of Maryland as the Keynote Speaker. The Arc of Baltimore would like to give special thanks to The Baltimore Business Journal for co-presenting the event. Thanks are also due to the many sponsors of the reception: Scientific Plant Service; Kelly & Associates Insurance Group; KTBS Payroll; The Law Offices of James A. List; Ober Kahler Attorneys at Law.

Please take a few minutes and view our slideshow of the 2009 Employers of Distinction Award Reception.

Click here to view photos from some of the sites where supported employees are working for our awardees.

2009 Employers of Distinction:

The National Aquarium has employed Dennis Johnson for 13 years in Visitor Services. Dennis has greeted and directed thousands of visitors at the Aquarium through the years. He is especially mindful of children’s safety and is often stationed by the escalator and catches kids with their shoes untied before they get on. Dennis’ supervisor notes that Dennis is reliable, always arrives early, and is not just a co-worker to Aquarium staff, he is a friend. His supervisor
adds that Dennis always wants to be sure he’s doing a good job and asks, “How am I doing?” and then before the supervisor can respond, Dennis answers….”Good.” The Aquarium has made Dennis a part of their team. They give him rides home if he has a transportation problem, include him in lunches, and provide a supportive environment for him to contribute and succeed.

“The National Aquarium exhibits reflect the diversity of the aquatic world and demonstrate ways that everything is connected. We value the same diversity and connection in our staff and volunteers. Each person on the National Aquarium team has unique skills, passions and commitment to their work. Dennis is a hard working, dependable contributor to this team and one of the extraordinary people who make the Aquarium a world-class attraction.,”
Dave Pittenger, Executive Director.

North Oaks Retirement Community Chris Milan has worked at North Oaks for 14 years in janitorial services. Chris is always willing to work overtime when needed. While he’s known to be quiet, he is dependable and always ready to go – and always comes to work in a spotless uniform. What makes North Oaks an Employer of Distinction is not just the fact of employing Chris for so many years, it’s the working environment of which Chris is a part. North Oaks is proud of its family environment and that means Chris is included in all activities.

"It's not only a working relationship. Chris is part of our family,”
Mark Pressman, Executive Director.

Richard Opfer Auctioneering brought on John Wroblewski 19 years ago. John does it all. He assists at the auctions, bringing items out for display, tags items, cleans, arranges display cases, and helps customers as needed. Clearly John is a valued member of the Richard Opfer Auctioneering team, but it’s more than that. Co-workers are concerned for John’s
well-being. They include him in baseball outings, go out to eat together and show him friendship. No wonder he’s been there for 19 years.

“John Wroblewski has been a tremendous asset to our firm. John makes work enjoyable and all of our customers enjoy his help. I wish all of my employees came to work with the great attitude and work ethic that John possesses,”
Rick Opfer, President.

The Towson Elks was named the 2009 Employer of the Year at The Arc’s annual meeting and awards presentation last spring, thus earning automatic induction to the Employers of Distinction. As demonstration of their support and affection for employee Earl Oden, the Elks brought three tables worth of members to show their appreciation. Earl has worked for the Towson Elks for three years. He opens the club each day, cleans the restaurant and prepares for lunch, and, according to Earl’s supervisor, Earl does whatever is needed to support the club and all the Elks members and employees.

"Earl comes to work everyday with a smile on his face and an eagerness to work. We are very proud to have him on our team!"
Roger Delp, Exalted Ruler.

Unifirst Corporation 93 As a commercial laundry facility, UniFirst has employed the services of Arc-supported crews for 12 years. What started with five or six people now includes three shifts of workers – 40 people in all who fold and sort hundreds and hundreds of towels, aprons, and mopheads. They also untangle and stack thousands of hangars. All this work is performed in a central location in the UniFirst building that the manager and employees maintain as a safe location. UniFirst staff looks out for Arc workers and are very appreciative of what Arc workers contribute. In fact, the Baltimore UniFirst management have presented to UniFirst divisions in other states on the benefits of having people with disabilities engaged in operations.

"The Arc of Baltimore crew is part of the UniFirst family through their hard work and dedication for our customers."
Robert Beaver, General Manager.

Maryland Transit Administration The Arc of Baltimore has partnered with The MTA since 1984 when they began litter removal services for Metro Subway and soon after grounds maintenance services. The collaboration continued to grow with additions of Light Rail, Bus, and MARC contracts that include grounds maintenance, and custodial work. Today, the MTA relies on The Arc of Baltimore and their dedicated employees to provide maintenance services for all modes, virtually 24/7.  Approximately 120 Arc supported workers are involved at 104 sites across Greater Baltimore.  

“We appreciate The Arc’s commitment to providing outstanding service for The MTA while providing employment opportunities for hundreds of workers with disabilities throughout the years. Thank You! Arc of Baltimore and congratulations as you celebrate your 60th anniversary!”
Paul Wiedefeld, Administrator.

Social Security Administration The Arc of Baltimore has provided landscaping and grounds maintenance services to the Social Security Administration through The AbilityOne program since 1994 for the Woodlawn headquarters and the Metro West facilities. The Arc crew of 13 supported workers are employed full-time at Social Security. All of their equipment, including dozens of pieces of equipment is housed there too, and for good reason. The campus covers 300 acres with 70 acres that need mowing. The crew plants 15,000 tulips, 16,000 annuals, and applies 2,000 cubic yards of mulch each year. Social Security staff has long provided a positive support system for The Arc’s crew and because of the number of people moving across the campus, there is a great deal of interaction among the Arc workers with Social Security employees. It’s evident that the Social Security employees are proud of the fine work done by the Arc’s landscaping team and The Arc crew has become an integral part of this work community.

 “Over the years, The Arc of Baltimore has maintained and enhanced the grounds at our facilities.  Additionally, the program creates on-going employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and enables so many to participate in community life.  We congratulate The Arc of Baltimore on your 60th Anniversary.”
Betsy Bake, Associate Commissioner for the Office of Facilities Management

Employers of Distinction Hall of Fame