Kirtland AFB honored by non-profit

Robert Liddy, Equal Opportunity Office affirmative employment program manager, left, accepts an award on behalf of Kirtland Air Force Base from Paul Luttrell, Adelante Development Center associate vice-president for business development, in recognition of the base’s support of individuals with disabilities. U.S. Air Force Photo by Brian Brackens.

Kirtland AFB honored by non-profit

Published Dec. 9, 2011
By Brian Brackens
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- In a recent ceremony at the Albuquerque Hotel, Kirtland Air Force Base was honored by Adelante Development Center, a local non-profit organization, in recognition of its support of individuals with disabilities.

Adelante's working relationship with Kirtland AFB began in October 1991 with a contract to provide custodial services to what was then the Naval Weapons Evaluation facility.

For the past 20 years, the organization has hired people with disabilities to help provide those services to locations throughout the base.

Jill Beets, Adelante Development Center vice president of marketing and communications, said that people with disabilities face enormous employment challenges and they are thankful for the opportunity Kirtland AFB provides.

"The unemployment rate for people with disabilities in the United States is over 70 percent, which far exceeds the general population unemployment rate," said Beets. "That's why we're thankful Kirtland AFB supports their employment through agencies like Adelante."

Currently, Adelante employs 32 people with disabilities and supports 148 buildings on base.

Robert Liddy, Equal Opportunity Office affirmative employment program manager, said that people with disabilities are an important part of the workforce.

"It's an honor to be recognized for our support of people with disabilities," he said. "They bring skills and dependability and are a significant part of the community. We couldn't do our job without them."