Special Needs Employees Are Part of The Family at Safeway

Employing those with special needs is a philosophy, not a program.

That's how Susan Houghton, a Safeway spokeswoman, describes her company's concerted effort to hire adults with special needs as baggers and other jobs at their stores.

“Safeway makes a concerted effort to employ individuals with disabilities at Safeway stores all across the country,” said Houghton. “We work with job coaching agencies that cater to developmentally disabled individuals and we help find the positions that work the best for them.”

“It is a win-win environment. They win and we win,” she commented. “[The job] gives a sense of individuality and stability for them and their families.”

Houghton says that sometimes the job at Safeway is the biggest thing in these adults' life.

“We hire them the same way you or I would get hired for a job,” she said.

According to Houghton, starting April 1, Safeway is kicking off a campaign to raise funds to help those with disabilities for the entire month.

“The donations will go to Special Olympics and Easter Seals and we hope to meet our goal of raising 11 million dollars nationwide,” she said. “We rely on our customers to meet our goal. A nickel here or a dollar there adds up.”

“We hope our customers will help raise money for the cause because we think it is pretty special,” said Houghton.

Houghton said Safeway also helps to raise money for other worthy causes such as the Wounded Warriors, Muscular Dystrophy Association, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

William Burke is an employee of Safeway and has been working for the company for more than seven years as a courtesy clerk. Burke is 30 years old and has Downs Syndrome.

Burke, who lives in Castro Valley, works at the West Dublin Safeway three or four days a week.

“My mom drops me at the BART station and then I walk from BART to work,” said Burke. “My favorite thing about work is bagging. I am very excited to come here.”

Michael Gravelle, a manager at Safeway, said the store has 10 to 15 employees with disabilities and that customers have positive reactions about them.

“We have had customers say they are really glad to have them [in the store],” said Gravelle.

According to Gravelle, about two weeks ago, Burke earned a “10” after a Safeway “Secret Shopper” went through the store.

“For an employee to get a ten, there are certain attributes they have to have met and William met them,” he said.

Burke is also a coach for Special Olympics.

“I coach basketball,” he said. “I have been doing it a long time.”

Burke says he also bowls and used to play ice hockey.