Charles County employers recognized for ‘doing the right thing’
Six businesses given Employer Awards for hiring, nurturing people with disabilities
Charles County employers were recognized last week for employing people with disabilities, or as the county’s economic development director put it, giving “the opportunity to strive to achieve.”
“Just give us a chance,” said Robert S. Watson, who has cerebral palsy and has risen from his first job as a clerk at a Brandywine liquor store to starting his own businesses and serving on the boards of others. “Hopefully you can see through me in my achievements what you can do with just that one step up.”
The Charles County Job Developers’ Alliance hosted its second annual employer awards breakfast May 18 at New Life Church in La Plata. The alliance gave employer awards to six businesses and recognized 25 others with certificates of appreciation.
Charles County Economic Development Director Darrell Brown spoke to the crowd of 60 or so employers, employees and social service workers and thanked business owners for “doing the right thing.”
“We thank them for doing the right thing,” Brown said, referring to the six award winners and the 25 businesses given appreciation certificates. “It’s doing the right thing. But they’re doing something they might not get credit for — that is providing an opportunity.”
“We’re all human beings. We want to strive to be the best we can be,” he said, riffing off what Watson had said earlier.
“It’s not about sympathy,“he said. “They want the opportunity to compete and compete fairly.”
Speaking to the employees, he said “you’re no different than anyone else. You’re perfect for the job.”
“Be courageous. Be courageous like Mr. Watson.”
Before the awards presentation, the alliance’s Suzie Miller, the Southern Maryland supervisor for the state’s Division of Rehabilitation Ser vices, wanted to recognize the employer’s role in helping give that “one step up.”
“It’s the employers who shine and offer [people with disabilities] the ability to shine,” she said.
The six award recipients were MGM Services, Apple Spice Junction, Jeremy Campbell of Charles County Public Schools, Dat Jerk Caribbean Chargrill, Cafe Rio and Vocelli Pizza.