Pasadena Humane Recognized as ‘Employer of the Year’ for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities

Pasadena Humane has been honored with the Employer of the Year Award by the Civitan Club. 

The award was presented at a reception at AbilityFirst’s Lawrence L. Frank Center in Pasadena. Mayor Victor Gordo also acknowledged Pasadena Humane’s efforts and presented them with a certificate of recognition.

The Employer of the Year award recognizes Pasadena Humane for its outstanding commitment to hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The award comes during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of integrating people with disabilities into the workforce.

Cesar Diaz, an employee of Pasadena Humane, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Diaz has been working as the Facilities Assistant at the shelter for nearly six months, with job coaching provided by AbilityFirst.

Dia DuVernet, President and CEO of Pasadena Humane, attributes the award to Diaz’s  contributions.

“Cesar is really the reason we’ve received this award,” DuVernet said. “He has been such a great addition to the department and has become a tremendous asset to our organization.”

Facilities Director Chris Ferrer also credited Diaz for the award, expressing a desire to replicate the employee’s work ethic and dedication. 

“I wish we could clone Cesar. He came in on day one and just wanted to learn, to contribute, and to become a team member,” Ferrer said. “He’s grown in leaps and bounds in just the short time he’s been here. We know we can rely on him to get the job done.”

Ferrer commends Diaz’s rapid growth, highlighting his reliability and ability to handle any task that arises in the Facilities Department, even when he is the sole staff member on site.

Diaz himself feels a strong sense of belonging at Pasadena Humane. 

“My main goal is to make the kennel area as clean as possible for the dogs and the visitors,” he said. “I’ve learned so much about how we do things, and I can’t wait to learn more.”

In addition to employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Pasadena Humane has collaborated with Villa Esperanza for nearly a decade to provide group volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities. Volunteers from Villa Esperanza participate in the Fluff and Fold program, helping with the extensive laundry required to ensure clean bedding for the shelter animals.

For more information about Pasadena Humane and to explore available employment opportunities, visit www.pasadenahumane.org.