Here at NW Works, formerly Northwestern Workshop, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to work and lead a fulfilling life. This mindset has guided us since our inception in 1970. NW Works is located Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County, which borders Maryland and West Virginia, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
Work is an important part of most people’s lives, and perhaps even more so for individuals with disabilities: work is one way for them to lead more normal lives- to interact with co-workers, to build self esteem, to earn their own paycheck, and perhaps most importantly, to build an identity as a contributor to their community rather than someone who solely relies on others.
NW Works provides training and employment to over 180 individuals who typically would be considered unemployable. Each trainee is given an individualized assessment and Vocational Plan so that they can identify and reach their employment goals. All of our workers are extremely low-income residents of the area, and have long-term disabilities ranging from mental retardation, developmental disabilities, physical and/or emotional challenges. We work with individuals from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who are 18 years of age or older.
Typically our workers live in Winchester or the surrounding counties (primarily counties of Frederick and Clarke) in residential programs, with their parents/family members or live independently either with or without the assistance of community programs and services.
NW Works, Inc. is managed in much the same way as a conventional for-profit business, but with an emphasis on the “double bottom line” to be both people and business focused. Our 2006-7 budget is $3 million dollars of which $1,386,000 is earned from our janitorial and landscaping contracts, $525,000 is earned from work provided in-facility, $75,000 is earned income from enclave opportunities $759,000 comes from State and Federal sources, $34,500 comes from our local Community Services Board, $25,000 is from interest income from our Endowment, $18,000 is directed from the United Way, and the balance comes from local sources and fundraising efforts.
The NW Works’ Staff of thirty-five (35) includes Administration, Rehabilitation Services, Production, Supported Employment Services, and Offsite Services. The ratio of staff to workers is indicative of the degree of disability of the population we serve.
Our service delivery continuum includes short and long range, individualized planning, a full array of support and classroom training, on- and off-site paid training, and job development services.
To learn more about our history, click here
To see the list of our current Board of Directors, click here
