Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2022
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Hope House of Milwaukee Receives Exemplary Award for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

Hope House Resource Director Ebony Walker, Hope House House Manager Georgette Harley, and Hope House Executive Director Wendy Weckler shared congratulations as the homeless shelter and supportive housing provider was honored for its diverse and inclusive hiring practices.

MILWAUKEE – Georgette Harley says her disability is all too common among people who, like her, have been victims of human trafficking.

"My anxiety was off the roof, and at times I've struggled," says Harley, who now works as a house manager with Hope House, a homeless shelter and supportive housing provider in Milwaukee. She credits support from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Assure Consulting and Employment Services for helping to channel her energy into education, training, and expanded career opportunities.

"Georgette didn't let challenges deter her and she was willing to do what it took to become a viable candidate for positions of greater responsibility that advanced her career," said Timothy Young, president of Assure Consulting. "Thanks to the DVR business services team, we made the connection with Hope House and the opportunity turned out to be an excellent fit for Georgette."

Because of its diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into its workforce, Hope House of Milwaukee has been recognized as an Exemplary Employer by Gov. Tony Evers and DWD.

"Gov. Tony Evers and his administration have made it a priority to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access a full range of choices and opportunities when it comes to living and working in Wisconsin," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "Wisconsin employers hiring people with disabilities aren't simply helping someone get a job; they are changing lives – the lives of those they employ, their family members, and of others in their community who see the work employers are doing and start believing that they can also be a part of something great."

From left to right, Prince Hudson; Barbara Hudson; Markus Watts, Business Services Consultant with DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Timothy Young, President of Assure Consulting; Delora Newton, Administrator of DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek; Ebony Walker, Hope House Resource Director; Wendy Weckler, Hope House Executive Director; DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake; and Sameer Bhaiji, Business Consultant with DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The group gathered to celebrate the homeless shelter's exemplary award for diverse and inclusive hiring practices during National Disability Employment Awareness Month

"The Evers Administration is truly connecting the dots among employment, housing, and the health of Wisconsin families," said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. "The tremendous example set by Hope House provides a wonderful representation of holistic services as we work to continue critical investments to aid families with children in need of supportive housing and health services."

At any given moment, DWD's vocational rehabilitation division is working with 15,000 individuals around the state who are preparing themselves or ready to join the workforce. In Program Year 2021 alone, over 2,000 employers hired 3,500 consumers through the work of DVR.

The award is presented as part of a larger effort by Gov. Tony Evers to highlight businesses that recruit and hire people with disabilities and encourage other businesses to provide opportunities for this skilled, dedicated, and capable workforce.

The recognition came as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which began 77 years ago in 1945, when Congress passed a law focusing on the first week of October. In 1988 Congress expanded the week to a month and selected the name National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Each year a theme is chosen by the Office of Disability Employment Policy under the U.S. Department of Labor.

In addition to remarks by DWD Secretary-designee Pechacek, Harley, and Young, a recent recognition event at Hope House featured remarks from DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake, Hope House Executive Director Wendy Weckler, Hope House Resource Director Ebony Walker and DVR Business Services Consultant Sameer Bhaiji.

Wisconsin employers are encouraged to contact DVR and meet with a DVR Business Services Consultant who can connect them to no-cost services that will help recruit qualified workers with disabilities, build staff diversity, retain well-trained employees, and access workforce planning resources.

Individuals with disabilities looking for assistance finding, keeping, or getting a better job can contact DVR at 800-261-0050 or learn more and apply for services on DVR's website.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.