Sodexo honored for increasing employment opportunities

On October 29, Sodexo Campus Services in Greater Boston were honored at the Massachusetts State House in Boston for working to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Stonehill College, Clark University, Suffolk University, Dean College, Framingham State University, and Bridgewater State University were among the campus dining teams recognized as an “Exemplary Employer" during The Massachusetts Regional Employment Collaboratives' Inaugural Celebration of Success.

The Massachusetts Regional Employment Collaboratives are partnerships of state agencies, employers, workforce development organizations, and employment service providers. The Collaboratives work across these groups with the common goal of increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Albert Milne, a Sodexo employee at Stonehill College, was one of the speakers during the luncheon. He shared his story finding a job at Stonehill in 2017 through the South Shore Collaborative in Brockton.

Since then, Milne has worked at the Holy Cross Center, helping to prep meals, set up the salad bar and keep the dining room clean.

He spoke of a challenge he overcame in setting up tables for formal dining and how his manager, Kirk Libby, helped support him through this learning process with diagrams and other educational resources.

Milne referred to his job as a "very rewarding experience" and noted that because of it he has developed self-confidence and good work habits.

Regional Vice President Phil Harty said, "Our time together (at the event) was both inspiring and enlightening. I was moved by the work being done and the impact it is having and am excited about the future as we continue to grow our support for these Collaboratives."