Skils'kin

This is Anthony Schmidt, a teenage boy on the autism spectrum. He collects and photographs model cars, and the results are absolutely stunning—you could easily mistake his toy cars in the photos for the real thing. Anthony has a vast collection, including vintage cars, classic pickups, motorbikes, dragsters, and Formula 1 cars. He even has some trucks and heavy equipment to boot, all of which he captures in photos. April is Autism Acceptance Month. We’re honored to recognize, advocate for, and assist individuals with autism. 📸: Anthony Schmidt Photography

Our irrigation crew at F. E. Warren Air Force Base got creative for an impromptu viewing of the solar eclipse. James Heinen, Seth Kuno, and Ed Johnson threw on welding helmets to shade their eyes from the partial coverage. Although it only reached about 60%, it was worth a gaze 😎

CHAS Health’s Mobile Clinic visited Fairchild Air Force Base to connect Skils’kin employees with vital healthcare services. “Our mobile medicine program was identified as the best option to start engaging Skils’kin employees in health services,” said Shelby Lambdin, Health Equity Director for CHAS Health. “We want to build trust and answer their questions about CHAS Health and the importance of primary healthcare.” CHAS Health Nurse Practitioner Zoey DeLeon opened the event by presenting CHAS Health and its services to our staff. The CHAS Health team followed the presentation by conducting required employee health screenings. “Our mission is to reduce barriers to healthcare,” said Shelby. “Skils’kin employees are typically unengaged in the healthcare system.” The event is the culmination of a year and a half of laying the groundwork for the partnership between Skils’kin and CHAS Health. Former Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz introduced Skils’kin to CHAS Health after being a guest on Skils’kin’s Good Gab Podcast in 2022. That introduction sparked Skils’kin’s decision to switch insurance companies so our employees could access CHAS Health. “Our partnership with CHAS Health is an important step for our staff,” said Skils’kin Regional Vice President Steve McBride. “Through its mobile clinic, CHAS Health provides the needed medical resources in an accessible manner.” According to Shelby, the event was the first step. CHAS Health plans to conduct monthly health visits to Fairchild Air Force Base for Skils’kin staff. “As we develop the partnership and identify more of the need, we’ll likely adjust,” said Shelby. “Our goal is to work with Skils’kin and identify how to engage employees in their health.”

The first thing you notice about David Petsch is his smile. The long-term Pizza Hut employee's infectious, cheerful demeanor spreads to everyone around him as he relays the day's specials or what's happening in the area. David has worked at the pizza chain for 24 years. An unusual aspect of his schedule is that he rotates between six locations. On some days, he works at two stores, using paratransit to get from one to the other. His primary task is folding large and medium-sized pizza boxes. Over the years, David has perfected his folding technique to amass a tall stack of boxes, estimated to be over 300, within his shift. But his skill isn't limited to folding. He quickly adds stickers and coupons to each box to encourage repeat business. David's pride in his job reflects his dedication and passion for getting the job done. Over the years, David's missed only a few days' work. In his free time, David enjoys music, gardening, walking, and creating unique art pieces for the people in his life. One co-worker laminated several of David's pieces and displayed them in the restaurant. When David retires, he plans to visit the second happiest place on earth. “I want to go to Disneyland Resort said David. "I've never been there, ever." Skils'kin provides employment services to adults with disabilities, helping them integrate into the community. Learn more at our website: https://skils-kin.org/.

On any given day, Chance Taylor is head down, sketch pad open, colored pencils in hand, intently creating one-of-a-kind artwork. The Fairchild Air Force Base custodial crew member spends his lunch breaks and downtime crafting intricate drawings. “He starts with a blank canvas and turns it into something amazing,” said Skils’kin Operations Manager Mikel Davis. “I thought at first he was coloring pictures, but I realized he was drawing them first.” Chance joined Skils’kin about a year ago. During that time, he’s patterned dozens of images in refined detail. Once the outline is complete, he carefully colors his characters and backgrounds, sometimes adding a title to the page. He uses a combination of crayons, colored pencils, and markers to enhance his colorful collection of dinosaurs and animated characters. His favorite subjects include Cartoon Network’s The Powerpuff Girls. “The characters are amazing,” said Chance. “I love drawing them because they’re smart and regal.” Thank you, Chance, for sharing your incredible artwork. Skils'kin provides employment services to adults with disabilities, helping them integrate into the community. Learn more at our website: https://skils-kin.org/.

Skils’kin Regional Vice President Steve McBride and Dana Divine, our Director of Outside Sales & Social Media, honored Michael Church with Stamper Rubens PS, Attorneys at Law with a Challenge Coin. Michael’s coin showcases the corporate value of Relationships. Michael partnered with Skils’kin and its custodial crew for over ten years to clean its entire building and grounds crew, trim hedges, remove snow, and clean up. “We are grateful to Michael for his loyalty and support,” said Steve. “Your ongoing belief in our company inspired us. We sincerely appreciate everything you’ve done for the people we serve.” Community partnerships are what make us stronger. Collectively, we can empower individuals with disabilities through employment. Skils'kin provides employment services to adults with disabilities, helping them integrate into the community. Learn more at our website: https://skils-kin.org/.

Skils'kin Regional Vice President Steve McBride and Dana Divine, our Director of Outside Sales & Social Media, acknowledged Women's Hearth with a Challenge Coin showcasing the corporate value of Relationships. "The staff at Women's Hearth loved working with our crew and enjoyed interacting with them daily," said Steve. "We wanted to show how we valued their efforts in providing jobs for individuals with disabilities." During the over-six-year partnership, our crew provided custodial services for the downtown Spokane drop-in day center for women experiencing poverty, trauma, and homelessness.

Embrace Washington is a non-profit organization that improves the lives of children in foster care. Since 2014, Embrace Washington has helped more than 11,000 children experiencing foster care. Saturday night, Steve McBride, the Regional Vice President of Skils'kin, and his wife Cathy attended their Backwoods Flannel Ball fundraiser. The event raised thousands of dollars for children in foster care ❤️

March is Disability Awareness Month! We are honored to support and empower individuals with disabilities every day, so this month holds special significance as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and diversity of the disability community. Throughout March, we plan to spotlight the remarkable individuals we serve, our passionate team members, and the importance of creating a more inclusive society for all. “We are proud to serve individuals with disabilities,” said Skils’kin Regional Vice President Steve McBride. “As we honor these extraordinary individuals this month, we want others to see their abilities rather than their disabilities.”