February 15, 2022
Brandon Grande, a participant of Sheboygan area non-profit RCS Empowers Inc., recently took Representative Glenn Grothman (Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District) to his job at Kwik Trip through the Take Your Legislator to Work Day program. This program is part of a campaign by
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities– which usually occurs in tandem with National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October of each year. Due to COVID-19, 2021’s Take Your Legislator to Work Day was postponed and instead occurred on February 14, 2022.
Brandon has been an employee of Sheboygan’s North Avenue Kwik Trip since 2018. His duties include collecting trash/cardboard outside and inside the building, stocking produce, sweeping in and outside of the store, filling the ice machine, and stocking the coffee bar (among other things). Brandon was most excited to show Congressman Grothman this last task as he says it is his favorite part of the job since he usually gets to interact with guests. This was not the first time that the two interacted; as an RCS Ambassador, Brandon met Representative Grothman when Grothman had his first site visit to RCS Empowers, Inc. The goal of Take Your Legislator to Work Day is to ask employees with disabilities to invite their legislator(s) to visit their workplace to demonstrate the importance of community-integrated employment for all.
For local non-profit RCS Empowers, Inc. employment services are just one part of their overall mission to ensure dignity and respect for every person with disabilities. In addition to helping people like Brandon secure employment in the community, RCS also provides day services, therapeutic art services, and the ability to work “in-house” as part of the packaging and fulfillment services RCS offers to area businesses.
If you are interested in employing an RCS Empowers, Inc. participant, we encourage you to reach out to the Human Services Department. Please contact Lynn Justinger via email, ljustinger@empowers.com, or phone, (920) 694-1206.
