WISCONSIN RAPIDS RAFTERS Employer of the Year Award, Wisconsin Rapids
HOTEL MARSHFIELD
Employer of the Year Award, Marshfield “It was a dark March day in 2013, when Hotel Marshfield was under renovation, that Mary Blanchard with ODC’s community employment program came to see me. She explained what ODC was all about, and then asked, ‘Do you think you might have some positions that would be a good fit for our program?’ I said
ABOVE: Mary Blanchard (left) presented the Employer of the Year Award to Hotel Marshfield’s Cory Latourell, General Manager (center) and Barb Peterson, Housekeeping Manager (right).
‘absolutely’, right from the get-go! So before the hotel was even open, we were discussing ways to hire through ODC. ODC employees have been some of the best associates we’ve ever had. We’re in the business of selling a service – we’re not selling rooms, we’re not selling hamburgers – so we know that, when a guest leaves Hotel Marshfield, they’re leaving with a feeling. The ODC employees that we’ve hired have been absolutely the best hospitality associates that we’ve had. They come to work smiling, happy to be here, they show up on time and they do a great job... it’s the best of all worlds! TOP: A crew of ODC workers pose at the ballpark in their Rafters t-shirts. Throughout all six seasons that the Rafters have been in Wisconsin Rapids, they have provided work opportunities for over 30 individuals. “The Rafters not only employ these individuals,” said Ann Lepak, ODC Director of Employment Services, “they make them feel like part of the team!” | MIDDLE: Rosco, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters’ mascot, was a fan favorite at ODC’s 2015 awards celebration! Joining him to accept the award were (left to right): Jake Serwe and Darren Besch of the Rafters’ staff; Kyle Ringer, who has been employed through ODC by the Rafters for all six of their seasons; John Fanta, Rafters staff; and Ann Lepak, ODC Director of Employment Services, who nominated the Rafters for the award. | BOTTOM: Eddie is one member of an ODC work crew that shapes up the stadium after each game. “I think there are two words that describe those we work with from ODC – attitude and enthusiasm!” said John Fanta, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters General Manager. “ODC workers have always brought that to the table.”
Empowering People With Disabilites To Achieve
If you are considering hiring through ODC, I would say, ‘You need to do this – you absolutely need to do this!’ What these individuals bring to the table is not only filling a position, but they bring a spirit with them that really is contagious to the rest of your employees. You have to try it! We are so pleased to have won this award. It means so much to be recognized for something that has been so easy and so successful for us.” - Cory Latourell, General Manager, Hotel Marshfield
“Since our very first meeting, it was very clear that Hotel Marshfield was committed to supporting and giving back to the Marshfield community. Even though the hotel wasn’t slated to open for several months, the manager had already SEE AWARDS / PAGE 6 p5