2010 DDSD Statewide Director’s Community Inclusion Awards
The Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) honored the following individuals, community organizations and business for demonstrating excellence in Community Inclusion. Awards were given in the categories of business ownership, outstanding employee of a business owner, community based adult habilitation, individual community membership, team champions supporting individual community membership, full community inclusion, case manager employment champion, employee of the year and employer of the year.

Joe Gonzales
2010 Outstanding Business Owner of the Year

2010 DDSD DIRECTOR'S MEETING COMMUNITY INCLUSION AWARDS

Mr. Joe Gonzales is the 2010 Outstanding Business Owner of the Year.  He is pictured here holding his business license with his direct support staff member, BiBi Ponce, who is featured also as an award winner.

Joe’s business is called “Joe’s Specialty Birdhouses”. He chose this business because he loves working with tools and wood. Joe glues birdhouses together, clamps each piece with staff assistance, sands, paints, and screws the license plate on as a roof.

Joe likes to choose when and for how long he wants to work. Joe’s team helped him write a business plan. He purchased start up supplies with a mini-grant from the Office Workers Program, available to Jackson Class Members.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation paid for all of the machinery and tools needed for the business which is set up in Joe’s garage.

At the time of this award, Joe had 30 orders for these unique birdhouses which sell for $30 each.

Congratulations to Joe Gonzales!

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