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News Release

Corvallis Businesses To Be Recognized For Supporting Employment Opportunities For People With Disabilities (Photo) - 08/05/26

Two Corvallis businesses will be recognized for supporting employees with disabilities at the State Rehabilitation Council’s quarterly meeting on Aug. 6.


Chateau Home Furnishings and Fred Meyer will receive the council’s Business Partner award, given to businesses that have hired or provided work experiences for participants of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a program of the Oregon Department of Human Services.


Council chair Ed Cortez said the council selected these businesses because of their efforts to open doors for job seekers with disabilities — not only through supportive hiring practices, but also by creating meaningful work experiences that help people explore careers and build confidence.


“We want to celebrate businesses that have created an environment where people with disabilities can thrive,” he said.


The council serves as an advisor to VR, which provides employment services for people with disabilities. VR also supports Oregon businesses —  helping them recruit, train, retain and promote employees with disabilities, all at no cost.

Chateau Home Furnishings

Ed Dasteur’s store, Chateau Home Furnishings, has been part of the Corvallis community since the 1980s. The store on NW Ninth Street sells beds, mattresses, sofas, dining sets, couches and home furnishings. It is known for the giant orange rocking chair out front.


“People take pictures of it every day,” Dasteur said.


Over the past decade, Dasteur has hired five VR participants and currently has one on staff who handles the store’s social media advertising and some light cleaning. Dasteur has also assisted about 15 others with career exploration in areas such as sales, computer work and furniture assembly.


He is quick to provide accommodations when needed, said Jesse Taylor, owner of JBT Vocational Advocacy, who nominated Dasteur for the award. The current employee hired through VR has lifting restrictions, which the store easily accommodates.


“He doesn’t have to lift couches,” Dasteur said. “It’s up to him what he wants to lift.”


Dasteur coordinates with Taylor to fill openings and host work experiences for people with disabilities who want to get job skills and explore what working is like. As a contracted vendor of the VR program, Taylor helps match VR participants and businesses looking to hire. He has seen first-hand Dasteur’s commitment to helping VR participants get work experience.


“Ed Dasteur believes everybody deserves a chance,” said Taylor. “He is kind and patient with our clientele through Vocational Rehabilitation and has provided jobs when he was able to.”


Dasteur said supporting the community is important to him. “If anybody needs help, I don’t hesitate. I even give furniture free to people who are totally broke.”

Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer’s stated core values of honesty, integrity, respect, diversity, safety, and inclusion show through its actions: currently four people from the VR program work at the store on Kings Boulevard. They work in a mix of freight, parcel, customer service, and store readiness roles that help keep the location running smoothly throughout the day, said Tim McKay, Human Resources Assistant Store Leader.


“Fred Meyer has an ongoing dedication to our communities and a longstanding commitment to hiring adults with disabilities,” McKay said.


These values also align with McKay’s beliefs, which stem from the personal experience of having a family member with a disability.


“I learned from watching this family member: let’s not put any restrictions on someone and see what they can do,” he said.


McKay said the best part of his job is hiring someone with raw potential and seeing them move up the job ladder. He puts into practice the philosophy of his father: “‘The world doesn’t owe you a living, but it does owe you an opportunity.’”


For example, he once hired a teenager with a disability who came in the store with his mother looking for a new job with more hours. McKay immediately hired him, and soon promoted him.


“I put him on night crew, then put him on as a courtesy clerk. I’m always in dialogue and work on cross-training. Everybody deserves a chance,” he said.

Taylor, of JBT Vocational Advocacy, nominated McKay for the award. He has seen firsthand how McKay’s leadership and commitment impact job seekers.


“Tim McKay has been an exceptional partner with Vocational Rehabilitation and my organization, providing a very kind, supportive, and professional service approach during each onboarding experience,” Taylor said. “His communication, understanding, and acceptance of accommodations have far exceeded my expectations. He has shown time and time again that every individual deserves a fair shot at employment and success.”
 

###

About the State Rehabilitation Council

Oregon's State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is an advisory partner to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Its role is to listen to VR participants about their VR experience and advise the VR program on how to improve services. 

About Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a program of the Oregon Department of Human Services. VR helps people with all kinds of disabilities find careers that fit their skills, interests, and abilities. The program is also a resource for Oregon businesses regarding disability in the workplace. 

Attached Media Files: Ed Dasteur, owner of Chateau Home Furnishings, stands with Jesse Taylor, owner of JBT Vocational Advocacy, inside the store., A giant orange rocking chair is at the entrance of Chateau Home furnishings, Jesse Taylor, owner of JBT Vocational Advocacy, stands with Tim McKay, Human Resources Assistant Store Leader for the Corvallis Fred Meyer.,

Corvallis Businesses To Be Recognized For Supporting Employment Opportunities For People With Disabilities (Photo) - 08/05/26

Two Corvallis businesses will be recognized for supporting employees with disabilities at the State Rehabilitation Council’s quarterly meeting on Aug. 6.


Chateau Home Furnishings and Fred Meyer will receive the council’s Business Partner award, given to businesses that have hired or provided work experiences for participants of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a program of the Oregon Department of Human Services.


Council chair Ed Cortez said the council selected these businesses because of their efforts to open doors for job seekers with disabilities — not only through supportive hiring practices, but also by creating meaningful work experiences that help people explore careers and build confidence.


“We want to celebrate businesses that have created an environment where people with disabilities can thrive,” he said.


The council serves as an advisor to VR, which provides employment services for people with disabilities. VR also supports Oregon businesses —  helping them recruit, train, retain and promote employees with disabilities, all at no cost.

Chateau Home Furnishings

Ed Dasteur’s store, Chateau Home Furnishings, has been part of the Corvallis community since the 1980s. The store on NW Ninth Street sells beds, mattresses, sofas, dining sets, couches and home furnishings. It is known for the giant orange rocking chair out front.


“People take pictures of it every day,” Dasteur said.


Over the past decade, Dasteur has hired five VR participants and currently has one on staff who handles the store’s social media advertising and some light cleaning. Dasteur has also assisted about 15 others with career exploration in areas such as sales, computer work and furniture assembly.


He is quick to provide accommodations when needed, said Jesse Taylor, owner of JBT Vocational Advocacy, who nominated Dasteur for the award. The current employee hired through VR has lifting restrictions, which the store easily accommodates.


“He doesn’t have to lift couches,” Dasteur said. “It’s up to him what he wants to lift.”


Dasteur coordinates with Taylor to fill openings and host work experiences for people with disabilities who want to get job skills and explore what working is like. As a contracted vendor of the VR program, Taylor helps match VR participants and businesses looking to hire. He has seen first-hand Dasteur’s commitment to helping VR participants get work experience.


“Ed Dasteur believes everybody deserves a chance,” said Taylor. “He is kind and patient with our clientele through Vocational Rehabilitation and has provided jobs when he was able to.”


Dasteur said supporting the community is important to him. “If anybody needs help, I don’t hesitate. I even give furniture free to people who are totally broke.”

Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer’s stated core values of honesty, integrity, respect, diversity, safety, and inclusion show through its actions: currently four people from the VR program work at the store on Kings Boulevard. They work in a mix of freight, parcel, customer service, and store readiness roles that help keep the location running smoothly throughout the day, said Tim McKay, Human Resources Assistant Store Leader.


“Fred Meyer has an ongoing dedication to our communities and a longstanding commitment to hiring adults with disabilities,” McKay said.


These values also align with McKay’s beliefs, which stem from the personal experience of having a family member with a disability.


“I learned from watching this family member: let’s not put any restrictions on someone and see what they can do,” he said.


McKay said the best part of his job is hiring someone with raw potential and seeing them move up the job ladder. He puts into practice the philosophy of his father: “‘The world doesn’t owe you a living, but it does owe you an opportunity.’”


For example, he once hired a teenager with a disability who came in the store with his mother looking for a new job with more hours. McKay immediately hired him, and soon promoted him.


“I put him on night crew, then put him on as a courtesy clerk. I’m always in dialogue and work on cross-training. Everybody deserves a chance,” he said.

Taylor, of JBT Vocational Advocacy, nominated McKay for the award. He has seen firsthand how McKay’s leadership and commitment impact job seekers.


“Tim McKay has been an exceptional partner with Vocational Rehabilitation and my organization, providing a very kind, supportive, and professional service approach during each onboarding experience,” Taylor said. “His communication, understanding, and acceptance of accommodations have far exceeded my expectations. He has shown time and time again that every individual deserves a fair shot at employment and success.”
 

###

About the State Rehabilitation Council

Oregon's State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is an advisory partner to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Its role is to listen to VR participants about their VR experience and advise the VR program on how to improve services. 

About Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a program of the Oregon Department of Human Services. VR helps people with all kinds of disabilities find careers that fit their skills, interests, and abilities. The program is also a resource for Oregon businesses regarding disability in the workplace. 

Attached Media Files: Ed Dasteur, owner of Chateau Home Furnishings, stands with Jesse Taylor, owner of JBT Vocational Advocacy, inside the store., A giant orange rocking chair is at the entrance of Chateau Home furnishings, Jesse Taylor, owner of JBT Vocational Advocacy, stands with Tim McKay, Human Resources Assistant Store Leader for the Corvallis Fred Meyer.,