News release, Nov. 2, 2006C

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996 Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

Nov. 2, 2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Starbucks of Valdosta receives Georgia Workforce/Touch the Future-Transition Conference Employer Award
ATLANTA State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that the Starbucks store in Valdosta has received an employer award for its commitment to recruiting, training, hiring, and promoting people with disabilities. The award was presented at the Georgia Workforce and Touch the Future-Transition Conference at the Athens Classic Center.
The Starbucks store in Valdosta was nominated for the employer award by members of the disability community, workforce professionals, teachers, and vocational rehabilitation counselors. The company has a strong commitment to partnering with the disability community and acting as an agent of positive change for the employment of people with disabilities.
Starbucks has created a culture of diversity in Lowndes County that honors individuality. And, Ms. Pat Faulk, manager of the Valdosta store, has gone the extra mile to provide work opportunities for students with disabilities. Ms. Faulk is involved with local Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. The manager not only places students with disabilities on jobs, but she also mentors them while they are on the job.
For example, Ms. Faulk hired a student with severe Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Ms. Faulk has worked to ensure the student's success by scheduling her for shifts of no more than six hours at a time, during the time of day when she is most productive, and with a seasoned shift crew. Ms. Faulk has not only arranged accommodations for an employee with a disability, she has shown profound respect for that employee's right to make decisions about the management of her disability.
In addition to employing individual students, the Starbucks store in Valdosta has become a corporate sponsor of the Georgia High School/High Tech Youth Leadership Forum/College Preparatory Experience. And, the store and Ms. Faulk supported a project called Dare to Soar, a transition project designed to help students make informed post-secondary choices.
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CY-06-488