Mike Hatch is a legend in the field of employment services for people with disabilities. He served as Executive Director of Work Opportunities for 30 years.
During that time the organization grew from a tiny activity center into a large, thriving organization which annually helps hundreds of individuals each year to learn new skills and find their places in the work force. Under Mike, Work Opportunities was the first Washington State non-profit agency to receive national accreditation through CARF. Throughout his career, Mike stayed on the cutting edge of service delivery; embracing innovative ways of helping persons with disabilities find their way into the world of work. He also started a widely-acclaimed self-advocacy program called “More Alike than Different”, where people with disabilities narrated their own slide shows in talking about their lives for service groups and schools. This program did much to break down stereotypes of disability, promoting greater inclusion for people with disabilities within the community.
Since he retired 11 years ago, Mike has barely broken stride in his dedication toward improving the quality of lives for persons with disabilities. He frequently takes his old friends from Work Opportunities on his daily fishing trips or out to dinner. He invites Work Opportunities clients over to his house during holidays when there is nowhere else for them to go. He plays Santa Claus each year at the annual holiday party and helps with the Annual Christmas Cruise for People with Disabilities. Mike is a renowned salmon fisherman and also has a beautiful homemade system for cooking his catch over an open alder wood fire. Mike uses his system each year to cook salmon for the staff retreat and the August Board Meetings. The Mike Hatch Salmon Barbeque is a much sought after item at each year’s gala and fundraising auction, bringing in over $1,000 to appear in the bidders’ back yards; raising valuable funds for Work Opportunities.
Besides all of these activities, Mike continues to work tirelessly to benefit people with disabilities by serving on a variety of Boards and other groups. He has been a CARF surveyor for years, seeking to do his part to improve employment services and outcomes for persons with disabilities on a national level. He serves on the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council; the Washington State Governors Committee on Disability and Employment Issues; and until recently served on the Washington State Rehabilitation Council.
Mike Hatch is a true hero because he “walks the talk”, working constantly to promote increased opportunities and greater community inclusion for people with disabilities.
