MILTON 鈥 A senior apartment complex in Milton has been recognized by the state of Wisconsin for its years of commitment to hiring people with disabilities.
Milton Senior Living, 600 W. Sunset Dr., in Milton, received an Exemplary Employer Award on Friday, Oct. 13, from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development鈥檚 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Recognizing October as National Disability Awareness Month, Community Solutions of Wisconsin nominated Milton Senior Living for demonstrating continued successful partnerships through the department鈥檚 programs that offer employment for people with disabilities.
Milton Senior Living is a residential care apartment complex for those age 65 and over. Executive Director Jacqueline Davila credited her team and the owners.
鈥淚 think the biggest impact is my team鈥檚 longevity,鈥 she said. 鈥淎long with our owners, they let the executives do what鈥檚 best for the business and it allows us to excel in employment, resident satisfaction, and employee satisfaction.鈥
Milo Luna, business services consultant for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, presented the award at the senior complex.
Davilla, who has a degree in Spanish and education from Edgewood College, once tutored students in the Cutting Edge program that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to earn a college education.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 a paid position,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut I did gain a lot of knowledge of individuals with disabilities and it kind of opened a door that I didn鈥檛 realize until I was here.鈥
The senior complex has a co-op program with Milton High School students to gain employment opportunities through its dietary department.
In 2018, the Cooperative Educational Service Agency of Wisconsin reached out to Davila and asked if she had any room for a Milton student on the autism spectrum who was seeking employment.
鈥淚 met this really shy 16-year-old boy who was so nervous,鈥 Davila said. 鈥淲hen I asked him what his goals were, he told me he just wanted to buy his own car. I watched him buy his own car, graduate high school, and grow. He was a strong member of my dietary department.鈥
After successfully hiring this student, KANDU Industries, Inc., reached out to Davila and asked if she had a place for someone with a physical disability, to which she recalls replying, 鈥淲hy not?鈥
This marked the senior complex as an inclusive employer. Case managers from Community Solutions also started reaching out to place individuals looking for employment.
Davila has placed individuals with disabilities in all three departments; caregiving, dietary, and activities. After several years of working with the programs, it鈥檚 become a consistent part of recruiting.
鈥淚f I have an opening, I can send one email and it blasts out to case managers and that position will be filled in a week,鈥 Davila said. 鈥淛ust like anybody else, sometimes it鈥檚 successful and sometimes it鈥檚 not, but it鈥檚 so worth it to be able to provide those opportunities.鈥
Milton resident Aiden Bartel was referred to Davila through Community Solutions last year and was hired in the dietary department.
Bartel, who has Aspergers Syndrome, said he鈥檇 be happy to work at the senior complex for the rest of his life.
鈥淭his is a great job for me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 love it.鈥
Bartel said his favorite duties include serving food and doing dishes. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a single thing I can say I don鈥檛 like,鈥 Bartel said. 鈥淢y coworkers are the best.鈥
Davila praises the owners and staff for being understanding on accommodations.
鈥淭he owners 100% support me in the decision of hiring individuals with disabilities,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hen I first told them I hired a young kid with autism they said 鈥楾hat鈥檚 wonderful!鈥欌
Individuals with disabilities who become permanent employees can leave the program that referred them, after gaining their independence.
鈥淲hy not?鈥 Davila asks. 鈥淭here are so many businesses hurting for employees, but there are so many individuals with disabilities out there who are looking for employment and a good team. Why not give it a try?鈥