All in a
Day’s Work Nonprofit Work Training Center offers meaningful work and engagement opportunities for adults with disabilities
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Keeping Up
Photo by Emily Teague
the Good Work
Work Training Center creates opportunities for adults with disabilities by Shannon Springmeyer
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dults with disabilities desire and deserve the same things we all do: a chance to make a meaningful contribution, the satisfaction of being independent and vibrant human connections. The Chico-based nonprofit Work Training Center has made it a mission to ensure individuals have equal opportunities for these basic elements of a rich life, regardless of level of ability. The organization has served the community since 1949, growing from humble beginnings to touching the lives of more than 700 individuals annually as the area’s largest provider of services to adults with disabilities. Despite the organization’s established history of service, Executive Director Don Krysakowski says many in the community are unaware of the vast scope of its work and impact. The center runs two types of programs. WTC’s day programs provide socialization, independent living skills training, meals, care, transportation, and recreation and work opportunities to adults with disabilities. WTC’s work programs, on the other hand, are focused on providing adults with disabilities training in transferable work skills and paid experience in a variety of industries. The work programs provide clients with the specialized support and job coaching they might need to be successful in building a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
“There’s a dignity that comes with work,” Krysakowski says. “We’re inspired to imbue our clients with a work ethic that we hope they will take with them when they leave and go out into the world and find a job out in the regular workplace.” To watch WTC clients at work is inspiring, their supervisors will tell you. You couldn’t ask for a more committed, enthusiastic group of employees. They work hard to get the job done right, and take tremendous satisfaction in a job well done. Krysakowski knows firsthand the power of WTC programs. He says his own son David, who has a developmental disability, lacked steady employment, lived at home and suffered from a low sense of self-worth before connecting to WTC five years ago. WTC helped his son make a 180-degree transformation, and David, 41, is now employed full time and lives independently on his own. To fulfill its important mission, Work Training Center relies in part on support from the community. Businesses that contract with WTC for services provide income to sustain the programs. WTC clients earn a wage and work experience while providing janitorial, landscaping, manufacturing, assembly and other services to businesses at competitive prices. Clients learn to adhere to the highest standards of quality, making them attractive candidates
“ There’s a dignity that comes with work.” Don Krysakowski
Executive Director, Work Training Center
on the job market. Community residents can help support WTC’s mission, too, through donations or by patronizing the WTC home goods store, recycling center and nursery, all of which are open to the public and staffed by WTC clients. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to enjoy the most meaningful and independent life possible. Keep reading to learn more about the lives touched by Work Training Center, and what you can do to help.
WTC OFFERS A Vital Connection for Adults with Disabilities In 1978, WTC had 15 employees and a $500,000 budget. By 2014, WTC had grown to
7
250
employees
work training programs and
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2,100
miles per day
$12.1 million budget
day programs. |
Work Training Center
WTC travels over
700+
and a
4 2
WTC’s client growth # of clients
WTC is the largest provider of services for adults with disabilities in Butte County, with
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24
45
1949
1963
1980
transporting clients between programs and home. 2014
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Individuals and businesses who purchase goods and services provide as much as
35%
of the funds needed to maintain WTC’s programs.
WTC aims to increase that percentage to
70% 5 years over the next
to achieve greater stability and independence from state funding.
Ian Winchester, right, has been a client at Work Training Center’s Joe McGie Center in Chico for a decade. The program has helped him enjoy a richer life and build relationships with other clients and staff, including Elise Gladu, Joe McGie Center program coordinator, left.
Living Life to
the Fullest
Photo by Emily Teague
Work Training Center’s Day Program provides fun and foundation by Kate Gonzales
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McGie Center program coordinator, says community an Winchester loves the outdoors, is social and has integration is at the heart of what they do. a good sense of humor. He also has cerebral palsy, “Society doesn’t really know how to interact with communicates nonverbally and uses a wheelchair. So the activities and support offered by the Work Train- our folks,” Gladu says. Those frequent outings create learning opportuniing Center’s Adult Day Program are perfect for the ties for both clients and the community. 40-year-old. While attending a concert in Chico, one little boy For the last decade, Winchester has been a client seemed curious about Winchester. Gladu introduced at the Joe McGie Center in Chico — one of four Adult the two, and explained to the boy how Winchester Day Program sites run by the nonprofit. His mother communicates visually using a tray attached to his and primary caregiver, Pat Roberts, says the program wheelchair. is unparalleled in providing a “It was a really good rich quality of life. opportunity for the boy to meet “Each week there’s someone with a disability and something for him to do and have a positive interaction,” something to look forward Gladu says. to,” she says. “The best part Winchester has also made is that he wants to be there.” connections within the center. Five days a week, It’s where he met his girlfriend, clients enjoy exercise, Aly. When his mother asks if meals, activities like gardenhe would have met someone ing or community outings like her without Work Trainto bowling alleys, movie Pat Roberts ing Center, he shakes his head theaters and more. Many Mother of an adult with a disability “no.” clients whose caregivThe Joe McGie Center ers cannot drive them to a means so much to her son that center are transported by Roberts decided to move from Paradise to Chico when Work Training Center buses. transportation became an issue, so he could continue Each client works with a service coordinator from to attend. While moving, more than two dozen Work Far Northern Regional Center, an organization that Training Center employees came to help. refers clients to the program. WTC, Far Northern “I was really touched that they would do all of that Regional Center and the client collaborate to develop for him,” Roberts says. “Elise [Gladu] even came and an individualized service plan with specific objecput the sheets on his bed.” tives. Winchester’s plan focuses on physical goals like The outpouring of support showed Roberts that strengthening his core and expanding his range of it’s not just about day trips and exercising, although motion. that’s important. At the Joe McGie Center, her son has The center also organizes special events like a family. dances and trips to baseball games, field trips with Chico State University and more. Elise Gladu, Joe
“ Each week there’s something for him to do and something to look forward to.”
Opportunities to Thrive
Photo Courtesy WTC
At the Work Training Center, adults with disabilities are empowered to live as independently as possible and enjoy the highest quality of life. Through the center’s Adult Day Programs, clients enjoy a variety of daily activities and special outings, like cooking, music classes, bowling and field trips with Chico State University. They also perform paid contract work like litter abatement and recycling collection. Michelle Ely, director of client services, says community integration is key to their work. “Every person has a very valid place in the community,” she says. The center runs Adult Day Programs at four sites: Joe McGie Center in Chico, the Sierra Center in Oroville, the Creative Learning Center and the Made in Paradise gift store and art gallery, both in Paradise.
The impact you can make
Financial contributions and endowments are always appreciated. However, Ely adds that people can give the gift of time by volunteering at the center. Make an online donation at wtcinc.org or call 530-343-7994 for volunteering information.
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Work Training Center client Michael Hill, far right, works on a janitorial crew with fellow clients and his supervisor and job coach, Betti James, second from left. Both agree that Hill has developed beneficial job skills in his years with WTC.
More than a Paycheck
Photo by Emily Teague
Finding fulfillment through Work Activity Programs by Kate Gonzales
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ichael Hill knows the satisfaction of a job well done. As a crew member with Pioneer Janitorial Services, he has gained valuable work skills and has grown to become a leader. “I take pride in everything that I do,” Hill says, adding that Work Training Center, which runs Pioneer Janitorial Services, has made his professional development possible. “They have helped me with my work ethic, my performance, my encouragement.” For eight years, Hill has been a client of the Work Training Center’s work programs. The center offers people with disabilities vocational opportunities in various industries — with little or no experience. About 200 clients benefit from WTC’s three work programs: Work Activity Programs, Supported Employment Groups and Community Employment Services. Clients are matched to a program based on their individual goals and capabilities. Hill, 36, has a mild cognitive disability, and worked in the center’s landscaping program for four years before moving over to janitorial. Clients of WTC have the freedom to choose which of the center’s various indus-
tries they want to work in, with their abilities taken into consideration. Supportive staff train clients and establish an environment where they will thrive. “Mike Hill takes so much pride and ownership in the work he does, it’s amazing,” says Betti James, supervisor job coach for the center’s janitorial program. “When he gets something done he’s really proud of it, and he wants to show it.” Hill and his fellow crew members work full days — Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week — and he often goes above and beyond. He takes it upon himself to stock, organize and clean the van, and often arrives early to make sure the laundry is done. “It’s a good challenge for me to take on more responsibility,” he says. James says her janitorial crew keeps busy providing efficient services to their business clients. She’s proud that her team works so well together and leaves every job site with a sense of satisfaction. “It’s so thrilling to see how happy they are with their work,” she says. “I get goose bumps when I think about it – it’s so gratifying.”
“ It’s a good challenge for me to take on more responsibility.” Michael Hill
Work Training Center client
In early 2016, Hill will start his job hunt for a janitorial position in the community. He says he’ll miss his fellow crew members and the staff members who have supported him on his path to employment. “Work Training Center is a good bunch of people to work with,” he says.
Work Programs Provide Meaningful Employment Work Activity Programs
Supported Employment Groups
Community Employment Services
Clients perform assembly and light manufacturing services for businesses that contract with WTC. Tasks include woodworking, sewing, assembling end item products for schools and businesses, and more. These jobs take place at three sites: Feather River Industries, Feather River Opportunity Center and Bear Mountain Production Services.
Clients with a wider range of physical and cognitive capabilities can work in one of three businesses: Pioneer Janitorial Services, Prestige Landscape Services and Nursery, and Fair Street Recycling. These positions offer community integration, as clients provide services to community members.
For clients who want to compete in the job market, these services offer one-on-one training with a job coach. Assistance in writing a résumé, submitting online applications, interviewing and more will help clients put their best foot forward.
Businesses can support WTC through contract work by calling 530-343-7994.
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See how you can support these ventures on page 5.
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To find out more about these career services for adults with disabilities, call 530-924-2371.
All the Ways We Work The Work Training Center offers work opportunities in a variety of industries to clients with disabilities, according to their abilities and interests. Clients earn a wage and gain valuable work experience, like:
Customer Service
Teamwork
Appropriate Workplace Conduct
Hands-On Job Skills
And so Much more!
Work Activity Programs In these programs, clients provide general assembly and packaging for business partners. Work Training Center ensures a highquality product at a competitive price, and businesses help support these meaningful programs. It’s a win-win relationship!
Bear Mountain Production Services
Feather River
Feather River
Clients perform light industrial assembly for businesses large and small — sewing, packaging and preparing items like tote bags, mailers and gift baskets.
Commercial woodshop division, where clients assemble gift boxes, wine and olive oil crates, and specialty pallets.
Manufacturing shop, offering services like ammunition casings assembly, paper shredding and shrink-wrapping.
Industries
Opportunity Center
For information on how these services might fit your business assembly needs, call 855-233-4692.
Supported Employment Groups Employment focused on customer service and transferable work skills, geared toward preparing clients for jobs in the community.
Pioneer Janitorial Services
Prestige Landscape Services
Prestige Nursery
Fair Street Recycling
Mobile janitorial business serving Chico and Oroville, where clients learn various aspects of janitorial work, like:
Offers all aspects of landscape maintenance, while teaching clients:
Enjoy friendly, knowledgeable service while shopping for:
Drive-thru recycling center, where clients help with:
• • •
Office cleaning Floor stripping Stocking supplies
Schedule an appointment for a demonstration of services for your business at 530-343-7994.
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Plant health assessment Landscaping tool use Measurement and garden construction For landscaping services at your business, call 530-343-7994.
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Locally grown, healthy plants Seasonal color, perennials and shrubs
Open to the public! Visit the nursery Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at 2270 Fair St. in Chico, or call 530-343-7994.
Customer service Weighing recyclables
Open to the public! Drop off recycling or e-waste Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at 2300 Fair St. in Chico, or call 530-343-7994.
Created4ACause Clients gain a sense of pride knowing products they help craft and assemble are sold at the Created4ACause store. The store also hosts paint-your-ownpottery gatherings for the community. Profits from these activities and the affordable, locally produced items support Work Training Center activities and programs.
Find out more about the wide range of services WTC offers, and how you can support this work in the community. Visit wtcinc.org/put-us-to-work for more information on all programs.
Shop Created4ACause for: • • •
Ceramic art and coasters Foodie gift baskets Totes and duffel bags
Open to the public! Shop at Created4ACause at 830 Broadway St., Chico, or online at Created4ACause.org.
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Helping Clients Achieve
Independence A little support from Do-It Leisure goes a long way by Anne Stokes
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iane Manwill and Patty Willis have been close companions for nearly 23 years. “I like her smile and how she makes me laugh,” says Manwill. “She helps me deal with my problems, and how not to be hard on myself, and how to be a better person. She’s there when I need her.” Manwill, who has a mild cognitive disability, is a client of Work Training Center’s Do-It Leisure program. The program helps adults with disabilities learn independent living skills and provides social and recreational opportunities. Willis works with Manwill as an independent living specialist, helping her handle important skills such as money management, using public transportation and dealing with medical issues, as well as coaching her through behavioral and emotional challenges. “She’s does really well and she’s an amazing lady,” says Willis, who admits that although Manwill is highfunctioning, she still needs a little extra support to maintain her independence. Manwill, 53, has lived independently for the past 27 years. In the past, she has held full-time jobs at local hotels and fast food restaurants. But recently, medical issues have forced her to stop working. For Manwill,
who doesn’t have a close relationship with her family, Willis has been a constant source of support. That support was especially important after Manwill lost her leg due to complications from a childhood injury. Willis often attends doctor and rehabilitation appointments with Manwill, serving as an intermediary between the doctor and her client. Willis herself has a unique understanding of some of the challenges her clients face navigating daily life independently. Willis has low vision and is unable to drive, which provides an opportunity to teach her clients how to reliably use public transportation. “That has proven to be beneficial to our clients — I’ve taught them to be more independent because I would teach them to ride the bus,” she says. These lessons in independence have given Manwill the ability to successfully live on her own, something she says wouldn’t be possible without Do-It Leisure. “I think it’s very important because it helps keeps me out of care homes. Do-It Leisure has an awesome [Independent Living Skills] program,” she says. “At Do-It Leisure, they don’t treat you like a kid, they treat you like an adult.”
Independent Living Specialist Patty Willis, right, and her client, Diane Manwill, left, work on skills such as money management, appropriate social behavior and problem-solving techniques, which keep Manwill living independently. Photo by Emily Teague
“ At Do-It Leisure, they don’t treat you like a kid, they treat you like an adult.” Diane Manwill
Work Training Center client
Tools for independent living
Photo Courtesy WTC
From social graces to money management, Work Training Center’s Do-It Leisure programs have been providing Independent Living Skills (ILS) and recreational opportunities to more than 450 adults with developmental disabilities across Butte County since 1975. The programs help clients develop the 6
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skills needed to live independently. “We provide services that are unique and not provided anywhere else in the community on this scale,” says Andrea Moriarty, WTC’s director of community services. “We teach clients how to do anything and everything you or I take for granted doing on a daily basis, so they can stay out of care homes and out of living with mom or dad.” The state Department of Developmental Services funds several programs, including Independent Living Skills, Group Social Recreation and a Home Companion Program, which provides a respite for caregivers. However, WTC receives no state support for Do-It Leisure’s Community Programs, and must raise all funds to keep the programs going. The Community Programs provide enriching recreational and social
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opportunities for clients, such as dances, movie nights and trips, helping adults with disabilities enjoy vibrant, active lives. Some support comes from the City of Chico and limited grants from local parks and recreation departments, but private donations are crucial. “We try to keep it as affordable as possible [for clients], but it’s really difficult,” Moriarty says. “We want to keep our doors open, that’s the most important thing.” For more information on ILS, Group Social Recreation or respite programs, contact Andrea Moriarty at 530-343-6055. To volunteer, donate or learn more about Community Programs, contact Julie Ellen, community coordinator, at 530-343-6055.
Bill Gaines of Transfer Flow has a long and successful history of partnering with the Work Training Center to provide clients with vocational opportunities while satisfying the janitorial and packaging needs of his business.
Working with the
Community
Photo courtesy of Transfer Flow
Hands-on work experience benefits clients and businesses alike by Anne Stokes
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based commercial services, you’re hiring people off the ransfer Flow has been in business in Chico for the street to do a job, get a paycheck and go on to the next past 34 years. The family-owned company designs job. There’s a little more love put into the work that we and builds automotive fuel systems, specializdo, and I think that makes us stand out from the compeing in state-of-the art technology and manufacturing. tition.” For the past decade, Transfer Flow has partnered with Gaines praises the high-quality professional service Work Training Center to provide vocational training and his company receives, including the workers’ exceptional employment opportunities to people with disabilities. standards for customer service, an important skill for any “I think that we’re helping serve a need,” says Transemployee to possess. fer Flow founder Bill Gaines. “The people that Work “They’re a very happy group,” Gaines says. “They Training Center serves are hard-working [and] good work hard and they pay good people. We help them be attention to cleaning up the self-sufficient and feel good area and making sure it looks about what they do each good.” day, [which] we see in the The challenge, according to people who come out to Sharkey, is to balance profesour facility. They are joyful, sional standards while still kind, polite and I think that supporting their clients’ needs. it’s great that we can work “We’re still accountable in with them. I think it’s a good a commercial sense to be as relationship.” competitive as any other busiThat relationship has ness out there,” he explains. resulted in a mutual benefit “We have to take a bigger step for both companies. For forward to accomplish that nearly the past decade, because we also have to take Transfer Flow has into consideration our clients, successfully employed Tim Sharkey their well-being and the job WTC clients to meet Work Training Center sales manager they’re performing.” the company’s product Sharkey adds that commupackaging and janitorial nity support is crucial to WTC’s needs while providing success and the nonprofit’s vision of being self-supportworkers the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world ing in lieu of asking for donations. vocational experience. Such hands-on experience “By helping provide places for [clients] to work with provides an important transition between training and our commercial services, you’re helping to pay for the individual job placement. services for all the other people you don’t see behind the “We’re creating more than just a service, we’re creatscenes in the day programs,” he says. “We’re helping to ing a livelihood for people that, in other places, wouldn’t support ourselves and with that we’re providing services have anywhere to work in the community,” says Tim Sharkey, WTC sales manager. “A lot of other community- for the community.”
“ There’s a little more love put into the work that we do, and I think that makes us stand out from the competition.”
Partner with Work Training Center to fill your business needs! Support Work Training Center’s mission and give purpose and jobs to adults with disabilities, while at the same time fulfilling your business needs with the highest quality services at competitive rates. WTC offers: • Janitorial services • Landscaping services • General assembly and light manufacturing (including wood products and textiles) • Document services and destruction • Recyclables pickup • And more! Call 530-343-7994 or visit wtcinc.org to find out how Work Training Center can meet your business service needs.
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Put Us to Work! Help Work Training Center build a better community
The secret’s out — Work Training Center’s work programs for adults with disabilities offer the best way for businesses and individuals to meet their needs for a variety of products and services, while enjoying the good feeling of giving back. When you support WTC work programs, you are helping more than 700 adults with disabilities each year learn valuable job skills, earn a living, and lead more fulfilling, independent and connected lives. Support WTC today — because everyone deserves an equal opportunity to thrive.
For Community Members
For Businesses
Fair Street Recycling
WTC work training programs offer consistent quality, competitive pricing and the unique opportunity for your business to fulfill vital services while giving back to the community. Make WTC your vendor of choice for: • Wood, fabric and soft goods design and manufacturing services • Assembly, kitting and packing services • Document mailing and shredding services • Commercial janitorial and landscaping services • Recycling pickups
Drive-thru recycling and e-waste center with friendly service provided by WTC clients. 2300 Fair St., Chico M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 530-343-7994 to schedule a recyclables pickup at your business.
Prestige Nursery WTC clients provide welcoming, knowledgeable service and healthy plants for your home, garden or business. 2270 Fair St., Chico 530-343-7994 M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visit wtcinc.org/put-us-to-work to discover the vast range of services available, or call 1-855-233-4692 or 530-343-7994 to find out more.
Created4ACause gifts and goods Make your next gift one that makes a difference. Shop a selection of home goods handcrafted with love by WTC clients. Find ceramics, coasters, foodie gift baskets, totes, duffel bags and more. Or, create paintyour-own-pottery. 830 Broadway St., Chico 530-894-5227 T-F, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Shop online: Created4ACause.org info@created4acause.org
Donate today! Individuals, businesses and corporate sponsors can help WTC continue its life-changing work in the community.
wtcinc.org
Visit wtcinc.org/home/pleasejoin-us to make a one-time gift or join the Dollar-a-Day Challenge. For corporate sponsorship opportunities, call Executive Director Don Krysakowski at 530-343-7994.
Help ensure WTC will always be here to change lives. Support Work Training Center programs today — all proceeds directly support WTC’s nonprofit mission.
What WTC Business Partners are Saying
“It’s good for the community and it’s the right thing to do. It’s a good business decision because we have them assemble and package things for us probably cheaper than we could do [in-house]. We’re helping individuals that want independence and to learn life skills.”
Debbie Bauman,
Purchasing Manager, RCBS
P U B L I C AT I O N S
Produced for Work Training Center by N&R Publications, www.nrpubs.com
“In addition to the fact that they have clients that do good work, they actually help support the economy by having several different plants here [in Oroville].
Sandy Linville,
President and CEO, Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy Photos
“They’ve been a great resource for us. They do a great job, they’re dependable, they’re here all the time, they’ve always had great long-term management, which makes it easier for us to communicate. I would highly recommend their services.”
Les Doll,
Director of Plant Operations, Enloe Medical Center
“This is a good representation of caring for all members of the Chico community. In the programs that we partner with, we’ve always been pleased how the Work Training Center responds. They’re always flexible and responsive, the quality of their work is great and the turnaround always meets our deadlines. They’re a great service.”
Ryan Arnold,
Communications Manager, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company