K-M kitchen crew, a job well done

Published 6:13 pm Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Trillium Employment Services, a nonprofit agency based in Auburn, recognized Teresa Allen for her work with developmentally disabled students in the Kent-Meridian High School cafeteria.

Allen, the kitchen manager, received a framed award on behalf of the kitchen staff in a ceremony Wednesday morning at the school.

Allen’s work has directly contributed to the school’s transition outreach program (TOP), which helps place disabled students in internships and later full-time work to incorporate them into the community.

The award is given to employers who, according to James Wilson with Trillium, “really stand out and are real supportive of their employees. They stand by our vision of building inclusive communities.”

Allen had known about the award for some time, but said that it reflects not just her but the entire kitchen staff who work with TOP interns.

“I get all the credit for all that goes on, but they do a lot of the work,” Allen said. “It’s nice to be appreciated.”