Happy Employee Appreciation Day from NW Works! Today, NW Works celebrated our employees through a breakfast bar! Today and everyday, we're thankful for the support and commitment of our staff as they serve adults with disabilities in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

As we recognize Developmental Disability Awareness Month this March 2026, I want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities within our organization and our community.

March is nationally recognized as Developmental Disability Awareness Month (DDAM), and at NW Works we’re honored to support adults with developmental disabilities and share their successes, impact, and growth.

In the fall of 2024, Kelly began working at Plato’s Closet Winchester. Store Manager Mac Hall remembers her interview clearly. “Not only was Kelly capable, she was ambitious. She showed an excitement and desire to work and learn that I see less and less of in people today.”

Meet Rebecca! As a Stephen’s City native, Rebecca is no stranger to the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Rebecca serves as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at NW Works and was drawn to the role due to her previous roles in caregiving and service positions. From piano lessons to caregiving for her grandmother, Rebecca has always cared deeply about others and wanted to teach individuals skills and build their confidence.

NW Works is pleased to announce its nomination for the Nonprofit of the Year award through the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s 2026 Greater Good Awards.

Advocacy is key for the individuals we serve, and as NW Works has grown over the last 55 years, and particularly recently, we have placed emphasis on moving from access which began in 1970, to advocacy, which we see becoming increasingly important for those we serve.

We're reflecting on 2025 and the impact the individuals we serve, and our organization left on our community in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. In 2025, NW Works supported more people, more jobs, and more growth than ever before.

NW Works has so much to be thankful for this holiday season, and we're especially thankful for those in the community who ensure our team can feel extra supported this season.

As the holiday season is upon us, we're taking a trip down memory lane to when NW Works made bows and the pride team members took in completing each bow for community members to use on holiday gifts. Now, 55 years later, team members can be found performing a variety of jobs in the community.

Robby, a new team member at NW Works, shared with staff how glad he is to be here and remarked that he knows this is exactly where he’s meant to be. Moments like this remind our staff, community members, and supporters of the bigger picture behind the NW Works mission—to make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with disabilities.

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This NDEAM Spotlight shines on Shannon! 🌟

Shannon is employed through Martin’s.

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This NDEAM Spotlight shines on Agazzi! 🌟

Agazzi is employed through Aramark at Shenandoah University.

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This NDEAM Spotlight shines on Maddie! 🌟

Maddie is employed through the City of Winchester.

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This NDEAM Spotlight shines on Dave! 🌟

Dave is employed through Axalta.

The Digital Literacy Lab represents empowerment and will help expand possibilities for the people we serve to build skills, explore career pathways, and gain greater independence.

NW Works held our Annual Summer Cookout during the last week of August as we wrapped up the warmer months. Our staff, team members and business services employees enjoyed time together outside eating and playing yard games. Like many of our events, the cookout offered a variety of choices ranging from what to eat, where to sit, and who to spend time with. But this year, the way those choices were made showed something different.

In May of 1980, NW Works made our second to last stop at our third building location on Smithfield Avenue Extended. In our Smithfield Avenue campus, the breadth of our services increased to be able to serve 150 adults with disabilities in our region.

After being at NW Works for 30 years, Tina knows her history and is a wealth of knowledge. This Direct Support Professional Appreciation Week, we're proud to recognize and honor DSP's like Tina who add so much to our organization through their commitment to the NW Works mission and improving the services for those we support.