RIDGWAY, Pa (October 16, 2024)– Every year, Dickinson Center’s Employment Support Services recognizes local businesses that support hiring disabled individuals during their National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebration. NDEAM focuses on the skills and abilities that disabled individuals can contribute to the workforce. This year’s event continues to spotlight employers that promote vocational goals through the #InclusiveEmployers campaign.

Dickinson is extremely proud to name this year’s recipient of the Employment Support Services Business of the Year award for 2024 as Elk County Foods. Elk County Foods has set the bar high as an example to other employers with their inclusive business standards. Elk County Foods has allowed numerous individuals in the Elk County area to work towards independence by fulfilling their vocational goals. By promoting inclusion in the workplace, Elk County Foods has afforded employment opportunities to numerous individuals by helping them to increase their financial independence. This is why we want to take a minute to thank ECF for all that they do for our individuals and also for the community.

While Elk County Foods is the 2024 Employer of the Year, Dickinson Center’s ESS also wants to extend a sincere thank you to other local employer that promote hiring disabled individuals. Some of these #InclusiveEmployers are St. Mary’s Area School District, Holiday Inn Express, Penn Highlands Healthcare, Crothell, Ridgway Area School District, Trucklite, Coudersport Borough, Kightlingers, B&T Building Services, Emporium Borough, Elkhaven Nursing Home, Walmart, PA Driver’s License Center, Northwest Savings Bank and the Goodwill Industries.

When provided with the opportunity, disabled individuals have much to contribute to the workforce and community. Dickinson is proud to work in cooperation with these local businesses, especially Elk County Foods, to promote inclusion.

This year’s NDEAM Business of the Year award was presented to Alan Buehler by Amber Luchs and Tammy Anderson. While Tammy just recently started her job, Amber has been employed at Elk County Foods for over twenty years.