Bella’s Voice in Lynnwood and Swedish Edmonds Hospital are two of nine employers honored Friday by Washington’s Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) and Disability: In Washington. The awards were presented during the 27th Annual Governor’s Employer Awards ceremony, held at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond. The committee advises the governor, Legislature, state agencies and other policy makers on issues important to people with disabilities.

Bella’s Voice is a small thrift store and proceeds are dedicated to no-kill shelters and animal organizations in Snohomish County. It was selected as the 2019 Small Non-Profit Employer of the Year. Bella’s Voice hired two volunteers with disabilities after they demonstrated their motivation and strong work ethic. They also designed a workstation away from customer service and public walkways for one of those volunteers, who needed a quiet location in which to work.

Swedish Edmonds received the Youth Employer Award for its work with Project Search, a program through the Edmonds School District that connects developmentally disabled students with employers in the health care industry.

“This year, Washingtonians nominated 25 employers and eight individuals for these esteemed awards,” said Conrad Reynoldson, chairman of the GCDE Awards Subcommittee. “The success of our ceremony highlights that inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it also makes good business sense!” Washington businesses, agencies, organizations and individuals submitted the nominations. A panel of GCDE members, business representatives and previous award recipients selected this year’s honorees.

Here is the full list of winners of the 2019 Governor’s Employer Awards Program are:

• Bella’s Voice – Lynnwood
• Huntwood Industries – Liberty Lake
• Jerrol’s – Ellensburg
• Kittitas County Government – Ellensburg
• Quality Inn & Suites at Olympic National Park – Sequim
• Swedish Hospital – Edmonds
• S. Army Corp of Engineers – Seattle District
• Washington Employment Security Department – Olympia
• Welcome Home Oak Harbor Senior Memory Care – Oak Harbor