Issuu

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026

Brookings, Oregon

Employment First: Opening the door to inclusive workforce opportunities on the Oregon Coast Presenters were joined by a panel of employees working through the program, along with their employers, to share stories of how accessible employment practices can transform lives while strengthening businesses and communities. With Oregon’s coastal economy relying heavily on service-driven sectors, this session offered a look at how organizations can become part of a movement toward a more accessible and equitable workforce. Take Linda, for example. Linda has been working at Fred Meyer in Brookings, Oregon, for over six years. Linda, her manager, and her community members all agree that she brings consistency, positivity, and care to her workplace. As she shared during the presentation, “People with disabilities want to work, and we are great employees.” Linda’s manager echoed that sentiment, adding, “Linda is positive, dependable, and almost never calls out. She really doesn’t like to miss work. She is independent and knows her job well. She has even helped new staff learn about courtesy work.” Beyond the independence her job provides to Linda — and the dependable support she offers her employer — the community has taken notice. Michelle Pruden, a Brookings resident, Brookings High School Transition Teacher, and Youth Employment Specialist for Vocational Rehabilitation, shared: “Linda is always looking for ways to make the lives of the people around her better. She smiles to support those who are having a rough day. She goes out of her way to give someone a hug when they need it. At work, she is always hustling to get her tasks done but never forgets to provide her customers with friendly, supportive service. Linda’s advocacy work has

BY LYNNEE JACKS

When we talk about tourism, we have to talk about workforce — the people who produce, stock, and serve our food; the people who greet us in stores and hotels; the people who make the world of tourism, and the daily life of locals, go round. And we can’t talk about any of it without talking about inclusivity, which is why the Oregon Coast Visitors Association has invested so deeply in collaboration and action around these topics. This year at the 2025 People’s Coast Summit, we had the opportunity to host a workshop that brought these threads of inclusivity and workforce together in an inspiring way. Opening Doors: Inclusive Employment in Tourism and Hospitality through the Employment First Initiative was presented by Arica Sears, Deputy Director of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association; Melanie Hartwig, Office of Developmental Disability Services; and Julie Chick, former Director of Sammy’s Place — a nonprofit organization in Nehalem dedicated to creating inclusive living, working, and respite opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on the North Coast. The purpose of the session was to explore what can happen when the tourism industry becomes a leader in inclusion — specifically through our workforce. Melanie and Julie represented the collaborative efforts of the Employment First Initiative, a program that empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to earn competitive wages and benefits alongside coworkers without disabilities. By expanding supported employment opportunities, more people have access to reach their potential and fully participate in their community.

Speakers, employees, employers, and advocates at the 2025 People’s Coast Summit given her a platform to make the world a better place. I’m so very thankful to have Linda Horton in my local community — she just makes it a better place to live.” Linda’s story isn’t the only one. Raheem works at Paciﬁc View Senior Living in Bandon, Oregon, where he interacts daily with residents. Every day, he brings a positive, friendly, and dependable attitude to the senior community. Frank helps at the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow, and believes people with disabilities can do the work — and should be able to work — just like everyone else. These are just a few of the dozens of employees and communities positively impacted by the Employment First Initiative. In Tillamook, employees have been excelling in discovery positions at the Tillamook County Creamery. Thanks to the NeahKah-Nie School District Transition Program, three individuals are thriving in their roles and bringing positive energy to both locals and visitors alike.

The Employment First workshop shared these success stories — and many more — along with practical steps for workforce boards and businesses to build inclusive hiring pipelines, as well as the tools and resources available through Oregon Department of Human Services Ofﬁce of Developmental Disabilities (ODDS) and local partnerships. “Oregon and the Oregon Coast have an untapped pool of dependable, dedicated, and hardworking people,” shared Melanie Hartwig, Employment First Initiative Advocate. “These people want to work and share their gifts and talents with their communities. Historically, working in their communities has not always been available to them. The Oregon Employment First Initiative is the belief that anyone who wants to work can, with the right support in place.” Julie Chick, former Director of Sammy’s Place, added, “The Oregon Coast Visitors Association, as part of its innovative accessibility work, has opened the door to future coastal workforce opportunities. This work comes in the form of educating and

connecting tourism businesses, workforce partners, and Coast locals eligible for supported employment to jobs. Supported Employment is an untapped local workforce of people who want competitive wages and meaningful work. This directly helps the tourism industry — and diverse solutions make for stronger longterm sustainability.” As our coastal communities look toward resilient economic futures, the answer is already here — in our people. When we expand access to meaningful work, we strengthen not only individual lives, but the very fabric of our coastal communities. About the Oregon Employment First Initiative: Oregon is proud to be an Employment First state. In Oregon, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) earn competitive wages and beneﬁts alongside coworkers without disabilities. This means that people have more opportunities to reach their potential and fully participate in their community.

Legislature Approves Measure to Protect Oregonians’ Personal Data from Immigration Enforcement SALEM, Ore. – Today, the Oregon House passed SB 1587, a measure designed to strengthen oversight of how state agencies share personal information. The bill prohibits state and local government agencies from disclosing personally identiﬁable information to data brokers unless the broker provides written assurance that the information will not be sold or transferred for immigration enforcement purposes. “With the federal administration using every surveillance tool at their disposal against Oregon's immigrant community, it is critical we continue to protect our most personal and sensitive data,” said Rep. Chotzen (D-Portland). “SB 1587 adds a guardrail to shield Oregonian's immigration status from being sold to the highest bidder." As digital information becomes increasingly valuable and widely traded, states have a responsibility to establish strong standards for transparency and accountability. The bill seeks to ensure that public agencies are not inadvertently contributing to enforcement actions through third-party data sales.

“In an era of mass surveillance, it is critical that we do not sell out our most vulnerable neighbors to bad actors with deep

INDEX

pockets,” said Rep. Chaichi (D Beaverton, Aloha). “I am proud to support this piece of legislation that will increase safeguards

for Oregonians being targeted by the Federal government.” Senate Bill 1587 builds on Oregon’s broader consumer

privacy framework. In 2023, lawmakers enacted legislation requiring data brokers to register before collecting or selling personal information, and the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act grants Oregonians the right to opt out of the sale of their personal data. “No one should be choosing between seeking medical emergency care or having to worry about whether they can be at risk of being taken by unmarked vehicles and end up in a different state in an immigration detention center,” said Rep. Ruiz (D - Gresham). “Protecting critical information is a must and no one, no matter where they come from should be put at risk.” Rep. Susan McLain (D - Hillsboro, Forest Grove and Cornelius) added, “Oregonians deserve to know that when they engage with our state’s public entities, their personal information will be handled with care. This bill provides an important layer of protection from the federal government’s reckless actions.” The bill now moves to the Governor for consideration.

Phone Number: 707-460-8655 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

Police Blotter Calendar of Events

Classifieds Crossword Answer Crossword Puzzle