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Show c jauu o oiw IUU Salt Lake City UT 84124-1550 AN E D I T I O N O F P R I D E & The Spanish p Fork News M I O C A L L Y O W N E D A N D VOL. 3 / NO. 50 O P E R A T E D WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2008 50^ SPANISH FORK, UTAH etting to ork Local businesses find abilities in disabilities Christene Choate STAFF WRITER . _ Local companies such as Maceys, Albertson's, Wendy's, RR Donnely and Mountain Country Foods work with a governmentbased company called Work Inc. in hiring people with disabilities. Sharon White, a Spanish Fork resident with Work Inc., helps people with disabilities training, resumes and whatever else is needed to help them get jobs. Work Inc. currently has 281 clients in Utah and Salt Lake counties. Sharon White represents the Utah County clients. White has worked for Work Inc. for the past four years, but has been an advocate for people with disabilities much longer having raised a son with a disability. "We will do whatever it takes to help them, whether it is counseling, getting clothes for their job, even mock interviews — what ever they need," said White. Work Inc. received the Governor's Award last year for the work they do in helping people with disabilities obtain jobs. There are many myths about hiring people with disabilities: they are accident prone, workers compensation will increase, accommodations in the workplace will be expensive and cumbersome, other employees will resent employees with disabilities. Reality is entirely different when hiring a person with a disability. "People with disabilities have equal or higher job performance rates, higher retention rates and lower absentation," said White. One in five people have some sort of disability whether it is physical or mental, but having a disability does not prevent them for working just as hard, or harder than employees without disabilities, White said. Of Utah employers surveyed, 78 percent said people with disabilities had as Courtes photo EXTRA MILE: Kay and Neal Lewis were recently honored by BYU-I with the Alumni Award of Excellence. Neal and Kay Lewis honored Alexa Johnson STAFF WRITER Christene Choate / Spanish Fork News SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Maceys manager Bill Summers stands with employee Bethanie Shell. good or better productivity as other workers on similar jobs, and more than 72 percent of working-age people with disabilities have high school diplomas or a higher education. Work Inc. offers a number of services for employers, such as job development, linking employers with qualified applicants, on the job training, bonding. There are also incentives and resources available for employers who hire people with disabilities. Welfare to work tax credit, on the job training, work opportunity tax credit, assistive technology, supported employment, supported job-based training, and a job accommodation network. Many people with disabilities seeking for jobs are just as capable if not more capable of qualifying for many positions. Local resident Bethanie Shell, who currently works at Maceys, has many skills that employers look for. Shell first started out as a teacher's aid at Brockbank Elementary and then moved on to become an office assistant for Steve Willingham, the Nebo School District Special Education Director. Shell also has capabilities on the computer as well as filing. "She's just awesome," said White, "she even does her family's online banking for them." Shell works hard at any job she does and is a great asset. "She is a great worker. She does whatever we ask and she is a very important member of our team," said Bill Summers, Maceys store manager. Firefighterfuneral David Davis / Spanish Fork News TRIBUTE: Spanish Fork firefighters were joined by firefighters from around the county, police officers, friends and family members Friday, Dec. 5 as they honored a fallen comrade, Hefa Reggie Tuita, who died at 39 from complications of a stroke. Firefighters draped a large flag over the entrance to the Spanish Fork Cemetery and led a long funeral procession of fire engines to the cemetery. Tuita will long be remembered for his warm outreach to others and his dedication to family and friends. Every year, since 1976, BYU-Idaho (formerly Ricks College) has been giving out a service award entitled the AJurnnLAwar-d of Excellence. This year the award highlighted a couple new to Spanish Fork named, Neal and Kay Lewis. Nominated by Alyn Andrus, an emeritus alumni director, and by many others, the Lewises were presented with the award on Nov. 15, 2008 at BYU-Idaho. Both Neal and Kay were born in Idaho Falls and attended school in Ririe, Idaho, where Neal lettered in three sports and Kay graduated at the top of her class. Both attended Ricks College for two years. Neal was the student bodybusiness manager, and served on the Legislative and Executive Councils. He lettered in track once more, and was also a member of the Gama Beta Fraternity. Kay received a provisional teaching certificate for the state of Idaho. She was active in the marching band, symphony and the Lamba Delta Sigma Sorority. During their second year of college, Neal and Kay got married, and Kay taught school in Rigby for one year, while Neal transferred to Utah State University and earned his B.S. degree in business. The Lewises had seven children, four girls and three boys. Four graduated from BYU-Provo, and two earned their master's degrees. All seven are now married and have families of their own. The Lewises have 34 grandchildren, eight of whom have or are serving full time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS church has led them to various service opportunities. Before coming to Spanish Fork, Neal served as a young men's president, a bishop, a stake president, and as a counselor in the mission and temple presidencies of St. Louis, Mo. In November of 2000, he was called by President Hinckiey to be the president of the St. Louis Temple, and in September of 200S W* \v;\* caMed as president of the Illinois Nauvoo Mission. Neal recalled this as an opportunity to "relive church history." One of his favorite moments was when six LDS Apostles stayed in the mission home. "It's amazing the people you get to meet and work with," said Kay, who also has had her share olT callings, ranging from a counselor in primary, to a counselor in the young women and relief society organizations on both the ward and stake levels. She taught early morning seminary for six years, and has served as choir director or organist for several years. She was assistant to the matron at the St. Louis Temple from 1999-2003. The Lewises lived in St. Louis for 42 years and enjoyed every moment of it. They had the joy of meeting and associating with missionaries from all over the country. One thing they especially enjoyed in Nauvoo was Christmas. "It's very old-fashioned and it tells the story of Nauvoo," said Kay. Their service also extended to community involvement. Neal was a financial advisor to the Mayor of Florissant, Mo., a Metropolitan St. Louis Interfaith Partner, was part of the Nauvoo Ministerial Association, and was a merit badge counselor for Boy Scouts of America. Kay was the secretary of the Paddock Community Association, she volunteered to play piano in elementary and high school musical events for 12 years, and she was a voter poll worker and volunteer. Neal is now retired, but Kay still teaches piano lessons in their home. They have dedicated their lives to doing good, and to helping other people. |