Somewhere Else Café Has A Place For Everyone

The Somewhere Else Café sits about 10 kms north of Hope on Hwy #1 in Dogwood Valley. For more than 35 years, owner and head cook Gail Marlatt has served up bountiful fresh home cooked meals to truckers, travellers and locals alike, earning trust and loyalty in return.

We spoke with Gail and her staff about their experiences with employing people with disabilities.

“We are a small place, we’re family. Everyone has a place here.”

— Gail Marlatt

Why is inclusivity important to Somewhere Else Cafe?

Everyone needs a chance. The staff are very protective and support each other. We just take it as it is, working together, learning from each other, and staying flexible.

How has working with employees with disabilities impacted your other staff?

The staff at the café care about each other, they are all are very understanding of each other’s needs. Having co-workers who experience disabilities has helped the team realize that effective communication is very important and that listening is key. There are two young men who work at the café on a casual basis and working alongside colleagues with disabilities has not only taught them compassion and understanding but has also helped them gain perspective on their own challenges.

Have you noticed any impact on your customer experience by hiring persons with disabilities?

Customers have all been just lovely when they see that the restaurant is an equal opportunity workplace. The staff are responsive to each worker’s needs and they work as an effective team; respecting everyone’s abilities and ensuring a positive work experience for everyone.

One member of the kitchen staff, who has a visible disability, is happy to tell anyone who asks that he is saving up his earnings to buy a boat and motor. He is so committed to this dream that he is very frugal with his spending. He resists spending $1.50 on a pop, choosing to either charm the servers into buying his pops or instead saving his money and drinking water on shift. He has a cognitive disability and he is smart like a fox. He knows how to get what he needs at work and the staff enjoy learning more about him every day.

One of the café’s servers shared that customers enjoy interacting with staff and charming interaction between customers and staff will often happen throughout the day. The Somewhere Else Café is one of those comfortable places where total strangers will chat across tables. There’s lots of laughter and story telling and it’s a safe and friendly place for everyone.

What would you say are some of the benefits to being an inclusive employer?

We don’t think about it. Everyone deserves a chance. We take everyone as they are. Hiring people who have disabilities is not new to the Somewhere Else Café. Some disabilities are visible and some are not. The staff is diverse and inclusive and always have been, inclusive hiring has never been a conscious decision. It just happened by being open and receptive and accepting people for who they are.

Ready to diversify your team and become an inclusive employer?

Learn more about hiring people with disabilities and how Free Rein Associates can support.

Rona Hope Building Supplies Lives By Their Values

Rona Hope Building Supplies is a locally owned and operated business in Hope, B.C. . They offer their customers access to all of the top brands of materials needed for building construction or home renovation projects. Rona Hope Building Supplies, part of Fraser Valley Building Supplies, has long been an inclusive employer in Hope.

We spoke with the store manager, Luke Adrian, about his team’s experience in hiring and working with people with disabilities.

Why is inclusivity important to Fraser Valley Building Supplies?

Inclusivity and having a diverse workforce with a variety of skills and problem solving styles is the cornerstone of our team’s strength. One of the values we live by at Rona Hope Building Supplies is fostering collaboration. This goes hand in hand with a workplace where everyone feels like they are heard and have a role to play.

How has working with employees with disabilities impacted your other staff?

Our staff love to work along side our team members with disabilities, and some have been working together for years. Developing friendships, and having shared experiences bring much joy to all involved.

Have you noticed any impact on your customer experience by hiring persons with disabilities?

The impact on our customers has been very positive. All of our people with disabilities live here in the community and the Hope community for the most part is welcoming and understanding. If there has been some negative views held by some, they are in the minority. Retail is a team game to begin with, and we have an amazing team here at Rona Hope Building Supplies. Through supporting one another, good communication and customer service we can turn perceived negatives into positives.

What would you say are some of the benefits to being an inclusive employer?

So many benefits. It challenges us to think outside the norms of society. Teaches patience, empathy and understanding, which are values so missing in todays fast pace world. But mostly, it showcases to all that an inclusive workplace, and by extension, an inclusive word is what we believe in as a company. You have to live your values and be the change your wish to see.

How can employers ensure employees with disabilities feel safe and valued in their workplace?

As employers, we need to know and understand our team members strengths and weakness. Putting our people in situations where natural abilities bring them success is so important. Whether it’s a team member with disabilities or not the formula for feeling valued and safe is the same.

What would you say to other employers who may be concerned about hiring a person with a disability?

Do it. there are always a thousand reasons that you can come up with why something may not work. But if you give service to your fears and doubts you are missing out on a world of possibilities. I like to challenge people with the following quote

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

— Coach Carter

Ready to diversify your team and become an inclusive employer?

Learn more about hiring people with disabilities and how Free Rein Associates can support.