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.

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.

On Saturday evening, the “breadbasket” proved that it is still alive and well as it produced delicacies for hundreds of diners at NW Works‘ 10th annual Farm to Table dinner.

The annual event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for NW Works, a nonprofit organization at 3085 Shawnee Drive in Winchester that provides job training and placement services for adults with disabilities.

Once supporting 78 clients, the North Cameron location built the foundation for the NW Works of today through welcoming new individuals and assessing skills, strengths, and areas to build on— similar to what we still do today.

Before NW Works was known under our current name, we were the Northwestern Workshop! When we were established in 1970, our campus was located at the Old Friendship Fire Hall on East Cork Street, as shown in the newspaper clipping.

As we celebrate 55 years of NW Works, we’re remembering the many ways gardens have played a role in our community, first for enjoyment and later for a greater purpose.

As the article from the archives reminds us, "Name Changes, Mission Doesn't." Read along for this blast from the past, and see if you recognize the familiar face in the photo!

In the Shenandoah Valley, NW Works has quietly transformed lives for 55 years, championing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs that foster independence, employment, and a sense of belonging. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael visits NW Works for a conversation with CEO Skip Philips and Communications Coordinator, Morgan Towle. 

Meet Wendy, a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, or job coach, at NW Works. Whether she’s job coaching out in the community or working side-by-side with individuals in our programs, Wendy believes in meeting people where they are and helping them grow. “The best way to make an impact is to share what you know, work together, and give people the confidence to try,” she says.

Meet Connor! Connor is a Winchester native who learned about NW Works thanks to his mom and her knowledge of NW Works’ presence in the community. In his role as a DSP/VRS, Connor sees himself building confidence in the individuals that he supports and helping them to be more independent. Connor enjoys seeing all individuals grow and progress whether in the Group Day Support Program or out in the community.

Did you know that NW Works has multiple government contracts through the AbilityOne program for people with disabilities? Read more to find out about this opportunity that’s providing empowerment through employment to adults with disabilities in our region & surrounding areas.

Meet Caitlin! Caitlin serves as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS), or job coach, for individuals receiving employment services through NW Works. As a VRS, Caitlin acts as a support for individuals at their place of employment and encourages them to advocate for themselves, increase their skills & confidence, and maximize their independence as they work in the community.  

Meet Flora! Flora serves as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS), or job coach, for individuals receiving employment services through NW Works.