Contact: George Mauzy, media specialist, (740) 597-1794 or mauzy@ohio.edu
Editors: A photo of Jim Yute can be found at www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/YUTE_JIM.JPG
ATHENS, Ohio (February 21, 2001) -- Jim Yute, general manager of Shively Dining Hall will be presented the 2000 Best Practices Award from the Ohio Association for Persons in Supported Employment in April. He won the award because of Shively's successful partnership with Atco Inc., a local nonprofit corporation that trains and employs adults with developmental disabilities.
The Best Practices Award is presented annually by APSE to one person who makes a significant impact on people's lives through the use of supported employment. Yute, a native of Beaver, Pa., has worked at Ohio University for 10 years and now is a candidate for a national award that will be announced in July. He earned his bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management in 1972 from Pennsylvania State University.
"I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I won the award," Yute said. "The real credit goes to my staff for making this partnership with Atco exceptional."
The partnership developed last spring after Yute contacted Atco in hopes of lining up employees to supplement his staff during lunch hours. Shively currently employs seven Atco workers whose duties include removing silverware and glasses from a conveyor belt, stacking lunch trays, swiping student ID cards, loading glasses for the dishwasher and preparing deli meats and cheeses. Nelson Dining Hall also has four Atco workers on its staff.
"The Atco workers raise the energy level when they're here," Yute said. "I wish I could bottle their excitement and enthusiasm. They're fun, lovable people, and everyone enjoys working and spending time with them."
"Our relationship with Dining Services has been excellent," said Atco Job Developer Doug Mitchell. "We hope to expand the partnership by placing more workers there in the future."
