Morningside and Shell: An Outstanding Partnership

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The Shell Station was recognized as Morningside's 2014 Employer of the Year. Pictured (from left to right): back row - Britni Miles, Jim Larson (Morningside CEO), Shell Station owner Carol Adams, Zack Kirk, Marcia Zuniga, David McDonald, Eugene Zuniga, and Gina Romero. Seated (from left): Nicolas Cereghino, Trent Tomtan and Rodney Catron.
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By Kathryn Millhorn

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Rodney Catron cleans at the Cooper Point Road Shell Station.

As of November 2014, there were more than 9 million unemployed workers in our country. While these numbers may fluctuate by season, industry, and region, it’s still a staggering statistic. Successful employment is often the result of a combined team effort. Whether through networking, training, or word-of-mouth, we all rely on others to find that perfect fit.

Aristotle once said, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work” and nowhere is that seen more than local small businesses that employ clients of Morningside’s Community Rehabilitation Program. This is a private, not-for-profit group which offers training and job placement for local individuals with disabilities. Morningside began more than 50 years ago and employs nearly 100 staff to cover six western Washington counties.

Locally, one business showcasing this winning partnership is the Retail Services of America (RSA) Shell gas station on Cooper Point Road near the Olympia Auto Mall. General Manager Eugene Zuniga and his team recently won Morningside’s 2014 Outstanding Employer Award for the quarter for “setting an example for how people with disabilities should be respected by customers and creating customized jobs that uniquely fit skill sets and interests. A great example of an accommodation is the way RSA Shell motivates employees based on their unique individual motivating factors. RSA Shell cares about the person as a whole and not just as an employee,” says Morningside employment consultant Sarah Stone.

Stone explains that the store’s success is a true team effort. “General Manager Eugene Zunigo is ambitious, open-hearted, and a positive natural support. He would like to hire more clients if it were possible.”

“This natural support that he offers trickles down to his employees who work with Morningside clients,” continues Stone. “Eugene checks in with the Morningside clients on a regular basis to inquire how they like their employment and how they are being treated by coworkers and customers. He talks about job safety and other generalities. Due to his example, Eugene’s employees also interact with Morningside clients in this way. They have become positive and inclusive natural supports, working with Morningside to ensure that each Morningside client has the support that they need to be successful.”

morningside
The Shell Station was recognized as Morningside’s 2014 Employer of the Year. Pictured (from left to right): back row – Britni Miles, Jim Larson (Morningside CEO), Shell Station owner Carol Adams, Zack Kirk, Marcia Zuniga, David McDonald, Eugene Zuniga, and Gina Romero. Seated (from left): Nicolas Cereghino, Trent Tomtan and Rodney Catron.

Shell employee, David McDonald, echoes this as well. “Morningside employees are great employees. They show up on time every time they are scheduled with positive can do attitudes. I’ve noticed that they bring smiles not only to my regular employees but to my customers as well. Once you give them defined tasks, they are excited to get to work which can be hard to find these days.”

Currently the RSA Shell employs four Morningside clients: Barbara, Rodney, Nick, and Trent. They have been at the station from 4-17 months and all work with a tremendous sense of pride. Whether their chief goal is a paycheck or free soda and new friendships, these industrious employees bring a smile to everyone they meet.

Stone and McDonald agree that the station “runs like clockwork. The supported employees that work there ensure that the gas pumps, convenience store, Oly Burger, Car Wash grounds, and the office is presentable to the public and clean for co-workers. The floors in the kitchen are deep cleaned everyday helping Shell pass health inspection and making the work place safer for their employees. Customers love to interact with Morningside clients, giving RSA Shell a reputation for being diverse and welcoming to all members of the community.”

Morningside employees typically fall into two responsibility levels for their assigned job coach. Some coaches periodically check in to ensure goals are being met while others stay on-site for the duration of the shift. Morningside coaches also work to implement skills taught by the organization’s job development team. This group provides interview practice, job skill preparation, and community/employer outreach.

The U.S. Department of Labor explains that “as the nation’s largest minority—comprising almost 50 million individuals—people with disabilities contribute to diversity, and businesses can enhance their competitive edge by taking steps to ensure they are integrated into their workforce… Perhaps more than any other group of people, individuals with disabilities have the ability to adapt to different situations and circumstances. As employees, they add to the range of viewpoints businesses need to succeed, offering fresh ideas on how to solve problems, accomplish tasks and implement strategies.”

It’s often difficult to see ideas put into action but the RSA Shell and Morningside have done just that. Stop by to see for yourself—and say hi—at their 2125 Caton Way location, just off the Hwy 101 Auto Mall exit.

Information about Morningside and their programs can be found online or by calling 360-943-0512.

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