NW Works Inc

Clients participating in Group Supported Employment work at a number of integrated community settings alongside several NW Works employees providing support as needed. NW Works clients fulfill contracts with small and large businesses in the region like Trex Company, completing production line tasks, product assembly, and other group assignments. They are supervised by Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, but can generally complete tasks without support. Sometimes, they need reminders, breaks to regroup and decompress, or accommodations that nondisabled employees may not need. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist serves as an advocate if clients are unable to express that they need help or a break.

Day Support Services are offered for those of our clients who are not oriented for employment, whether that be because they choose not to work, are not ready to work, or other reasons relating to their disability, and to Business Services clients when work is not available. During this day program, our team of highly-trained, dedicated staff work to broaden our clients’ strengths and skills through a personalized, goal-based curriculum called SNAP (Specific Natural Activity Program). They also attend community outings, engaging in recreational and leisure activities to include volunteering at local organizations. Some clients choose to work part time and participate in Day Support part time, so options are available to meet every individual’s goals.

The AbilityOne® Program is among the largest sources of employment in the United States for individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities. Established in 1938, the program is administered by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission®, an independent Federal agency (whose statutory name is the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled). The Commission has designated National Industries for the Blind and SourceAmerica® as the central nonprofit agencies facilitating the program. NW Works is a proud partner of AbilityOne, and currently serves 18 government client workers across eight AbilityOne sites in three states.

The Career Services Program at NW Works provides eligible families who have children under the age of 18 with monthly employment assistance to help meet their basic needs. Career Services operates as an extension of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program by providing resume building, mock interviews, job search help, functioning email addresses, job readiness training, and more to prepare TANF recipients for jobs and careers so they can provide for their families long-term.

The ProjectSEARCH Program is a collaboration between Valley Health, Winchester City Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, Northwestern Community Services Board, the VA Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and NW Works. Each year, ProjectSEARCH at Winchester Medical Center enrolls 12 graduates of Winchester or Frederick County schools who have disabilities. Over the following academic year, they prepare for employment through internships, mock interviews, and other relevant training. Then, the ProjectSEARCH team helps them search for and apply to competitive, integrated jobs in the community.

Our in-house production is managed by our Business Services department, handling contracts with a number of local vendors to meet their business needs. In this department, adults with disabilities and people with other barriers to employment work on our production line or assemble kits for our 8 business contracts, which include SouthernCarlson, Rubbermaid, HP Hood, Trex Company, and more.