Inclusive Employment Inspires Us All
Connecticut ad agency Mintz + Hoke, a long-time advocate for DEI in its industry, adds an employee with IDD to its team.
Ron Perine, Managing Principal + CEO, Cate Alix, Office Assistant and Christine Millette, Director of Employee Engagement at Mintz + Hoke’s offices in Avon, Conn.
My BeanZ + Co. journey began years ago as a customer of The New England Pasta Company. I am Ron Perine, Managing Principal and CEO of Mintz + Hoke, a full-service advertising agency in Avon, Conn. When BeanZ + Co. opened with its inclusive mission, everyone at the agency wanted to experience it. BeanZ + Co. soon became more than a place to get lunch. We were eager to further support their mission with catering orders and donations.
And it got us thinking creatively.
What if we created an inclusive position for an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Mintz + Hoke?
Christine Millette, our Director of Employee Engagement, and I formalized a role from a list of agency needs we’ve had for some time. We reached out to BeanZ + Co. who put us in touch with Sandy Finnimore, Favarh Project SEARCH Manager. Sandy reviewed our job description and had an individual she knew would be a good fit. Lucky for us it was Cate Alix, a BeanZ + Co. employee who we interviewed and hired.
We outlined our expectations with Sandy who organized tasks to suit Cate’s work style. Sandy trained Cate the first two weeks and then transitioned her to a job coach. Cate also has internal managers at the agency she checks in with. Cate’s typical work was put on hold with Covid-19, as we shifted to working remotely. When it was safe, Cate packed everyone’s desks, and helped us prepare for a deep cleaning and reconfiguration of our space. We re-opened in early July as an office optional workplace, and Cate has returned to her regular work schedule and responsibilities.
All through the Covid-19 lockdown, Cate was involved in agency-wide Zoom meetings and continues to be. We are glad to have her back in the office as everyone really missed her. Cate’s personality fits in so well with our quick-witted culture. My favorite story happened prior to Covid-19 when Cate was sorting and delivering the mail and came across a letter addressed to Ronald Perine. She asked me about it and I told her my full name is Ronald and the only person who calls me that is my mother.
And now Cate does, too.
Cate has made such an impact on our agency. She’s helped us see things differently. Our employees have shared how witnessing her growth has inspired them. Our clients are inspired, too, as they explore their own DEI practices. We hope Cate’s work with us has had as much of an impact on her. Cate is a part of us and always will be.
Ron Perine is Managing Principal + CEO at Mintz + Hoke, an immersively different full-service advertising agency 50 years strong based in Avon, Conn. Mintz + Hoke has long advocated for DEI in employment in the Connecticut ad industry and Ron continues this leadership. The agency also seeks clients and work that advances DEI, including its efforts in combating health disparities in the state with Access Health CT. Mintz + Hoke offers an array of creative, research, strategy, design, digital, media, public relations, analytics and brand activation capabilities. The agency has been recognized as one of Connecticut’s Top Workplaces by the Hartford Courant and FoxCT, as well as the Hartford Business Journal. Learn more at www.mintz-hoke.com and connect with them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
BeanZ + Co. is an inclusive coffee café employing people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities and demonstrates the possibilities in all of us. The coffee café serves breakfast, lunch, hot and cold beverages, and bakery items online and in its cafe for takeout and eat in, and also offers catering services. BeanZ + Co. is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 300 West Main Street, Avon, Conn. For more information visit beanzandco.com and friend them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.