Gatto's named ‘Employer of the Year'

By DAVID TELLER

Staff Reporter

Paul and Tracy Gorum, who own Cheney's Gatto's, were awarded “Employer of the Year” from the Spokane County Community Services Developmental Disabilities Program.

Tracy Gorum said she received notice of the award, which is signed the Spokane County Commissioners, from Career Path Services and received the award for diversity in the work place and commitment to hiring people with developmental disabilities.

Currently, Gatto's employs Louie Chambers, who has developmental challenges. Gorum said he came in one day looking for a job and she hired him, initially, as dishwasher. Gorum describes his position now as a “multi-tasker.” She said he's a cook, he does prep work and still washes dishes.

“He will do anything, no matter how tough the job is or how simple the job is or even how disgusting the job is,” Gorum said, referring to the nasal-searing stench of cleaning the grease trap in the sink drains.

Chambers has worked at Gatto's on and off for about six years. Gorum said he left to go to work at Old Country Buffet, but came back after about two years.

Gorum who has owned Gatto's for eight years, said she hires developmentally challenged people but doesn't actively pursue them. She said hiring them is purely by timing, namely if they're looking for a job and she needs somebody.

Chambers is a client at Career Path Services, a job training and placement company in Spokane.

Gorum said she coordinates with Career Path Services about Chambers. She said they check on him monthly, ensuring he doing well and seeing what kind of hours he's getting. It was the direction of Career Path Services that originally sent Chambers looking for a job at Gatto's

Gorum has hired three developmentally challenged people but said Chambers is the only one that has stuck around. In the past, students from the high school come to Gatto's to learn how to work in the public.

Having had seven foster kids, Gorum said although none of them had developmental challenges, she always believes in giving someone a chance, no matter who they are or what their disabilities are.

“Every child has a special need,” she said.

Working with them requires one significant virtue: Patience. She doesn't hire developmental people for recognition. The pay off for her is seeing the benefit go to someone that appreciates it.

“Knowing they're really wanting to hold down a job when there's so many people in the world that don't have disabilities that don't want to work,” Gorum said.

David Teller can be reached at [email protected]