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Michigan honors champions who show value of hiring employees who have disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 26, 2017                                             

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – A Lansing woman who returned to work after a 15-year-absence and a Detroit newspaper photographer with multiple sclerosis who has pushed through barriers were among the honorees today at the annual Champions Award ceremony.

Champions of outstanding commitment to Michigan’s public vocational rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities gained recognition at the annual event.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services collaborated with the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services to recognize employers, partners, customers and MRS employees. MRS presented its ninth annual Champion Awards at an event at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing.

MRS offices around the state nominated champion candidates. The consistent theme from those nominated was demonstration of the value of hiring and retaining vocational rehabilitation customers.

The event is part of Investing in Abilities Month in October, as proclaimed by Gov. Rick Snyder to encourage employers to hire qualified people with disabilities while focusing on their abilities and increasing the public’s awareness of the contributions and skills of Michigan workers with disabilities.

The 2017 MRS Champion Award recipients are:

Customers (including youth) who are motivated and committed to finding and keeping jobs:

  • Mary Schroeder, Detroit, a photographer at the Detroit Free Press. MRS assisted Schroeder with continuing her career during progression of her multiple sclerosis.
  • Tina Abraham-Amburgey, Lansing, who returned to full-time employment after being off work for 15 years based on the advice of her doctors.
  • David Vogt, Ishpeming, who worked diligently with his MRS counselor and was hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in Houghton County.
  • Branden Hillman, of Battle Creek, who graduated from the MRS Michigan Career and Technical Institute and is now an electrical apprentice after being selected from 160 candidates for less than 10 positions.

Employers who have consistently employed or championed individuals with disabilities based on their abilities:

  • Oakland County Government, Lori Taylor, deputy director, human resources, Waterford.
  • Delton Family Pharmacy, Mike Holz, owner, Delton.

Business partners that are working in innovative ways with MRS and its customers:

  • T.J. Maxx, Colene Hayes, manager, Frandor store, Lansing.
  • Perrigo, Rebecca Herrington, talent acquisition manager/Alicia Carrasco, human resources manager, Allegan.

Partners who have demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities to take charge of their futures:

  • City of Evart, Mark Wilson, supervisor, Department of Public Works, Evart.
  • Mitch Morgan, project search business partner, Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati.
  • Anthony Kaylin, vice president, American Society of Employers, Livonia.

The MRS awards presented to the champions were engraved by students in the cabinetmaking/millwork program at the Michigan Career and Technical Institute. 

MRS assists individuals with disabilities to achieve competitive employment and self-sufficiency. This is the 97th anniversary of the vocational rehabilitation program in Michigan.

For more information about MRS or the Michigan Career and Technical Institute, visit www.michigan.gov/MRS or www.michigan.gov/MCTI.

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