History

NW Works, Inc. (formerly Northwestern Workshop, Inc.) has held a unique and respected position in this community since 1970.  It was originally housed in the old Friendship Fire Hall on Cork Street in Winchester, Virginia.  At that time, the Workshop employed five workers, one staff, and one work contract.  In 1972, the Workshop moved to a warehouse building on North Cameron Street, where it remained until 1980.  In 1980 the Workshop built a 21,000 sq. ft. building at 828 Smithfield Avenue, which we presently occupy.

Throughout out history, the Workshop has had exceptional support from local industry, individuals and organizations.  This is most evident in the makeup of our governing body, the Board of Directors.  Directors are from a cross section the community, representing business, education, banking, manufacturing, government, private citizenship, and other professional fields, as well as parents of workers serve our program also as members of the Board.

In November 1998, the construction of an additional 6,000 square feet. of space was completed.  The workshop enrolled 151 individuals and had a record breaking year with the overall budget “in the black” after depreciation for the second straight year.  As of June 1999 the Workshop had gone from one work crew enclave to eight and thirty-three people in community job placements.  During 1999 the Workshop completed work for a total of thirty-nine different contractors.

In 2003 Northwestern Workshop, Inc. changed its name to NW Works, Inc.  The decision to change our name was made to reflect more of the needs of the organization now and in the future, and to reflect that we are not "bound" to a workshop site.

In 2003 we served over 180 individuals both in facility and in the community.  NW Works, Inc. has grown its custodial business to five local industries and has four NISH government custodial, grounds and landscaping contracts located in Beltsville, Maryland and Front Royal, Virginia.  Production contracts in facility from local industry include Rubbermaid, Henkel-Harris, Pactiv, American Woodmark, National Fruit, Ralph Lauren, Pumpernickel Press, Project Hope, as well as continued growth in our embossing operations.

NW Works, Inc. and staff strive to continually meet the needs of many adults with disabilities by providing a wide range of services and opportunities for them to explore employment opportunities in the community and in the Workshop itself.

 1969 – SUMMER
Survey done by Rector Brown, funded by DRS through John Hawse.

1970 – 1972
Original location – East Cork Street (Friendship Fire Hall).  Five (5) workers, one (1) staff, Roger Miller,  and Susan Dawkins, Executive Director.

November 1972
Moved to North Cameron Street.  Building donated by Newton Shingleton through the efforts of Jack Ireland and Junior Bayliss.

Tremendous community involvement by civic clubs, organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Civitan Club (Ken Place, coordinator) undertook remodeling of entire building.  Hundreds of volunteer hours of physical labor were spent on the job, donated materials and cash contributions were received.

Warren County residents joined those from Clarke, Frederick and Winchester.  Enrollment quickly increased to thirty seven (37).  Grant for Warren County van included salary for secretary.

1973
Started Woodworking Department with DRS grant for tools and machines and opened the Marigold House on Loudoun Street Mall.  A gift shop filled with hand-crafted items manned entirely by volunteers.  The proceeds were to benefit the Workshop.

1974
Started the first Adult Basic Education (ABE) program in state to be housed in the Workshop.  This was funded by Dowell J. Howard.

1975
Dowell J. Howard started joint Special-Ed class for high school students from Clarke, Frederick, and Winchester.  They paid the rent for us and absorbed all costs.

1976
First CETA grant!  Used to buy lawn care equipment, hire an assistant to supervise and started grounds maintenance program.

1977
Board of Directors decided on major building project.

1978
Wrote DRS grant for $120,000 matching funds dollar for dollar for purchase of a lot and construction of 21,000 sq. ft. building on Smithfield Avenue.  Again, much support from the community.

1979
Construction began on the new facility in Stine Industrial Park.

1980
Hired first Marketing Manager to increase work contracts.

1981
Grafton School leased space here for five years for their Adolescent Autistic Unit.  In 1986, both Grafton and Dowell J. Howard classes moved to other schools, freeing up much needed space within building.

1982
Thirteen workers competed in the Special Olympics.

1983
Grant applied for and received from KOVAR (Knights of Columbus of Virginia Assisting the Retarded) to build addition onto back of our building.

1984
The Workshop workers began embossing napkins.

1985
The Workshop began an operation recycling aluminum cans.

1986
Built separate steel building and improved loading dock spaces.  Valley Proteins donated a large truck.

1987
Started Micrographics Department.

1988 - 1989
Started the Warren County Satellite in Front Royal, Virginia.

1990
Celebrated 20th year of providing Vocational Training, Work Opportunity for adults with disabilities from Clarke, Frederick, Warren County, and Winchester.

1991
Started off-site enclave at Sysorex.  Susan Dawkins Ireland retired and Pia Crandell was hired as the Executive Director.

1992
Warren County Workshop became a separate corporation.

1993
The January edition of the Northwestern Spirit was sent to President Clinton.

1994
Received a grant from DRS to offer Supported Employment.  Closed micrographics department.

1995
The Workshop celebrated its twenty fifth anniversary.

1996
Pia Crandell retired and Rob Romagna became the Executive Director in July.

1997
The Workshop began an enclave at Blue Ridge Industries.  The workers are being trained in custodial skills at this site.

1998
The Workshop started custodial contracts at FEMA, U.S. Customs, and the Hampton Inn in Winchester.  Two workers are going to Ashworth Bros. annex each morning without supervision from staff.  A second work crew begins at Berryville Graphics in Berryville, Virginia.

The additional 6,000 sq. ft. building construction began, which will add more production space, warehouse space, and two additional loading docks.

1999
The Workshop addition completed in November 1998 and fully operational.  During 1998-1999 the addition came in great for many contract jobs with jars for National Fruit.

The Workshop had another record breaking year ending “in the black” after depreciation.

The Workshop had a total of 151 individuals enrolled in the program in 1998-1999.

2000
The Workshop had its first CARF survey.

2001
The Workshop received a one year CARF Accreditation. 

The Lord Fairfax Providers Association held an Open House for the community at large at Northwestern Workshop.

The Self Advocacy Group started a Transportation Petition to present to Mayor Larry Omps.  They collected over a thousand signatures in support of their petition.

John Brauer became the new Executive Director.

2002
The Workshop went through its second CARF survey.

The Workshop received a three year CARF Accreditation.

2003
NW Works, Inc. held a fundraising event at Sweet Caroline’s in Winchester.  The event, called “New Beginnings” highlighted a number of “New” happenings-a new name for Northwestern Workshop, a new logo, and a new location for Sweet Caroline’s. 

2004
NW Works purchased 8.8243 acres of land on Shady Elm Road in Frederick County for future site of a new building.

The WorkCenter received another three year CARF Accreditation.

2005
NW Works site plans for the new building were completed.

DuPont foundation donated $12,500 to the WorkCenter.

NW Works received a second, full three year accreditation from CARF.

Vernon Laney, Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction, Winchester Public School systems, became President of Board of Directors.

NW Works began a new custodial job site on Valley Avenue for First Bank.

Two new enclaves were started this year at  Executive Protective Systems and Memorex providing more work opportunities in the community  for our workers..

2006
First Bank added an additional janitorial contract located in Stephens City.

GE light bulbs returned to the WorkCenter.  Our workers repacked up to 175,000 bulbs a day. 

Fundraising efforts began for our new building.

Bob Sowers, Plant Manager for the WorkCenter retired after 32 years of dedicated service.  A surprise retirement party was held in February to honor Bob.