GreatWork Blog

Building better workplaces through compliance, culture, connection

I think we all know someone whose life has been negatively impacted by the tragic devastation of Oregon’s recent wildfires or COVID-19 or both. If you are like me, it is difficult to know the best way to donate and have meaningful impact for your friends and fellow Oregonians that are struggling through these two very devastating life events.

One of my favorite childhood vacation memories is the time our family spent at The Embarcadero Resort & Marina in Newport, Oregon. My father grew up in a big city and my mother hailed from the Midwest. They moved West attracted by the allure of the wild Oregon Coast. Although they settled in the Willamette Valley, frequent trips to explore the beauty of the Oregon Coast were always a big part of our family vacations together.

One thing I have enjoyed the most about working from home is that I now have more time to get creative in the kitchen. My new go-to resource has been the recipe section of Bob’s Red Mill website which features a large variety of wholesome cooking ideas for every meal of the day. Bob’s Red Mill features a bountiful selection of stone-ground, whole grain, organic, gluten free, and paleo-friendly flours fit for any kitchen. 

Summer is here and we are thrilled to see many of our eating and drinking establishments now open to serve the public. I cannot think of a more idyllic location to visit in Oregon Wine Country than America’s favorite Main Street in McMinnville, Oregon and home of the 1882 Grille. Located just 30 minutes from Portland or Salem makes it an easy afternoon dining destination.

With over 20 years of experience and more than 50,000 adoptions, this organization knows cats! Did you know...

University of Oregon students know The Duck Store as their source for textbooks and other college essentials and Duck fans know us as their source for game day shirts and accessories. With a long history serving the campus community and beyond, we are both those things and more.

With more than 4500 members, this not-for-profit association – whose headquarters are now nestled in Corvallis, Oregon – was founded because dedicated recreation programs and facilities at institutions of higher learning inspire diverse and sustainable communities of wellbeing through the platform of inclusive recreation.

This nonprofit’s mission is to inspire children to learn through creative play. Did you know…

For 50 years, this Portland area nonprofit has delivered life-saving and life-changing assistance to some of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Did you know…

At Cascade, we believe deliberate recognition is a sign of a great employer. And when a great employer gets recognized for being outstanding, we’d like to take a moment to congratulate them!

From grapes to olives, to their award-winning end products, this 5th generation family farm leads the industry with a trailblazing spirit. Did you know…

Housed in one of McMinnville’s oldest industrial/commercial buildings, and with tangible reminders of the City’s agricultural beginnings, this Cascade member provides a shopping experience that sets you back in time. Did you know…

With a mission to create the highest quality herbal extracts available, this southern Oregon company is committed to educating people on how to practice safe, effective herbalism. Did you know…

Whoever coined the phrase “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” obviously knew something about the power of human determination, and perhaps knew the “founding mothers” of Willamette Humane Society. Did you know…

This Tillamook, Oregon employer produces over 100 varieties of top quality meat snacks, trail mixes, roasted nuts and candies. 

For 110 years, Tillamook County’s largest employer has stood behind the honest values of their farmer-owners. It’s from them they’ve learned passion can’t be faked, hard work can’t be outsmarted and real food is worth fighting for.

We are at a time in history where we no longer need to “create” jobs for individuals with a disability. There are business needs that already exist in our communities. And statistically, people with disabilities stay at their jobs longer and have better-than-average attendance.

Regarded as one of the most established and distinguished Portland bakeries for over 30 years, this Cascade member infuses joy and love into every product they make. Did you know…

This nonprofit’s vision is an Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed. Did you know…

From hops to hazelnuts to seed crops and a variety of vegetables, for the Coleman family, farming has always been more than a livelihood – it’s a way of life. Did you know…

Continually evolving as an agency that is a person-centered provider of services to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, this nonprofit is relentless in bringing dreams to life. 

The Willamette Valley is the heart of Oregon wines, thus it’s fitting to feature one of the region’s leading wineries. 

The initials “RV” usually mean Recreational Vehicle, and while that may be an apt description of the RV line of kit aircraft, in this case they are also the initials of designer and founder of Van’s Aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven. 

Electrical Geodesics, Inc. (EGI) is one of the most scientifically advanced businesses in Cascade membership. This 25-year old company has been recognized globally as a leading neurodiagnostic medical technology company and has recently been acquired by the Royal Philips company, based in The Netherlands.

Have you ever driven along the Columbia River and wondered how such large shipping vessels could safely navigate so far up river from its mouth at Astoria? After all, many of these ships come from international ports, and chances are their captains have never experienced the Columbia until now. 

If you’re from the Eugene area, you grew up with the playful TV ads and the quirky billboards that make you smile—and you probably know the jingle by heart. When it’s time to remodel your kitchen or repair a leaky faucet, you know there’s only one place to go: “Better Head for Jerry’s.”

This nonprofit member works with children, youth and their families to overcome the crisis of abuse and neglect. 

From design engineers to skilled machinists, Benchmade’s team is filled with hard-working, passionate individuals committed to producing some of the highest quality knives in the world. 

For more than 30 years, the Oregon School of Massage has provided the most holistic, integrated approach to massage education in Oregon. This integrated approach is a core value that drives the whole program. 

As one of the most popular mushrooms worldwide, shiitakes are prized for their rich, savory taste and diverse health benefits. This family-owned employer has been growing these specialty mushrooms for over 26 years.