News

TradeWinds Employees Recognized

2020 Employees of the Month, Quarter & Year

Each month TradeWinds Services recognizes an employee, or employees, who went above-and-beyond their usual job responsibilities. A Quarterly winner is selected from one of the monthly winners, and finally the “Employee of the Year” is determined from all of the winners during that year. This year was different due to COVID, lots of social distancing, and everyone wearing masks in photos. The management team had a difficult time determining winners this year because we had so many exceptional employees who love what they do, and it shows in their passion for helping others. CONGRATULATIONS to all of our Employees of the Month, the Quarter, and our Employee of the Year. **EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH: January - Julia Long, HR Manager; February - Joyce Wolak, Van driver; March - Dennis Fedrick, Lead Direct Support Professional; April - Irma Cervantes, Sewing Operator Supervisor; May - Pam Wise, Administrative Receptionist - Ana Gonzalez, Sewing Operator -Kim Christos, Nurse; June - Shannon Burczyk, Employment Specialist; July - Rodney Dowell, Direct Support Professional; August - Steve Albrecht, Van driver & Soni Wilson, Sign Shop Production Supervisor; September - Carmen Russell, Group Home Manager; October - Veronica Castillo, Administrative Receptionist; November - Curtis Mabone, Direct Support Professional; December - Jane DiMartin, Sales & Marketing Associate. **EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER: 1st Quarter – Dennis Fedrick; 2nd Quarter – Irma Cervantes; 3rd Quarter – Carmen Russell; 4th Quarter – Veronica Castillo. **EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – JANE DiMARTIN.

Thank You Legacy Foundation

Providing grant funds for TradeWinds Employment Services

TradeWinds Employment Services program is committed to increasing the employment rate of people with disabilities by focusing on abilities. TradeWinds, an Indiana FSSA Vocational Rehabilitation Services & BDDS Waiver provider, provides training, coaching & guidance for clients seeking community employment & for community employers. We prepare individuals of varying abilities who are 18 and over seeking part-time or full-time work in Northwest Indiana, to obtain and sustain employment. An untapped pool of skilled workers, people who have a disability are capable of many types of different jobs. The grant funding from Legacy Foundation will help supplement some services such as client advocacy, employer education, case management assistance with community resources, staff training for effectively assisting clients. The community gains more diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

Holiday cards for Military Workers

TradeWinds adults in our six group homes got creative making cards to send holiday cheer to some of our military workers supporting our troops. The group home staff said everyone "really enjoyed this project". For over 30 years, TradeWinds Sewing Industries has produced garments for the Department of Defense under the AbilityOne Program while dedicated to providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities. Making these holiday cards was near and dear to their heart since many have jobs in our Sewing Industries department and help support our troops every day. This is one of the many projects providing a creative outlet based on ability, while learning with hands-on multi-sensory media, and exploring colors and touch, to increase perseverance, functional skills, and retention of skills. The grant funding for these activities was made possible in part by the South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Pirates, Inc. Presents Donation

On Wednesday, December 2nd, Pirates, Inc, an elite fighting force for children with special needs, presented TradeWinds Services with a donation check for $100,000. Pictured are Dennis Hahney, Admiral of Pirates, Inc., and Jon Gold, CEO of TradeWinds. We send out a huge thank you to the Pirates organization and are proud to be part of the Pirates' history. We are grateful for the partnership and friendships that we have formed over the last 50 plus years. To learn more about Pirates, Inc. or to become a Pirate, visit their website at www.pirates4kids.org.

Employment Services Receives Grant

TradeWinds is excited to announce the receipt of grant funds from First Financial Bank in partnership with CREA to assist our Employment Services Dept. TradeWinds Employment Services collaborates with Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation to provide training, coaching & guidance for clients seeking community employment & for community employers. We prepare individuals of varying abilities, who are 18 and over, seeking part-time or full-time work and provide guidance to sustain employment. Thanks to this funding support, we will be able to continue our progress of serving people with diverse abilities and employers in the Northwest Indiana community. To learn more about TradeWinds Employment Services department, go to: https://www.tradewindsnwi.org/business-services/hire-people-with-disabilities/

Thank You Crown Point Community Foundation

The Crown Point Community Foundation is providing grant funds to help TradeWinds with upgrades to our group home located in Crown Point. These funds will allow for the addition of a side driveway for more parking space for our van and staff vehicles, along with some landscaping, adding raised garden beds and picnic tables. The residents of this house will benefit from more time outdoors with a new learning experience by growing fresh vegetables in their backyard, more usable space for visiting with family and friends, and increased recreational activities. All of these benefits will combine to improve the health and welfare of our clients in an enjoyable environment. Thank you to the Crown Point Community Foundation for this opportunity to improve the lives of our clients.

Arts & Crafts Activities

TradeWinds Services received grant funding from the Indiana Arts Commission for arts & crafts enrichment activities for our children of all abilities in Child Care, Summer & Winter camps, and our adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. A variety of projects allow both children and adults to be creative with their own abilities or as a group, building interpersonal skills, and learning with hands-on multi-sensory media, and exploring colors and touch to increase perseverance, functional skills, and retention of skills. The grant funding for these activities was made possible in part by the South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you from all at TradeWinds.

TradeWinds 29th Annual Golf Scramble for Kids

It was a beautiful day for over 200 golfers, volunteers, and advocates at TradeWinds Golf Scramble for Kids held at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville. A huge THANK YOU to First Financial Bank as the Signature Sponsor and Strack & VanTil Food Market as Presenting Sponsor this year. With social distancing practices in place, this event was entirely outdoors for everyone to have an enjoyable time. We thank all of those who provided sponsorships, raffle and silent auction items, donations, all of our volunteers, and our fantastic golf committee. Your participation helps provide more services for children of all abilities in our Childcare and Summer/Winter camp programs.

Grant Funds Awarded

TradeWinds Services is pleased to announce the receipt of $5,000 from the COVID-19 Response Grants – Capacity Building – Emergency Preparedness grant from these funding partners: Legacy Foundation – Lake County’s Community Foundation; Covid-19 Response - Knight Foundation Fund a project fund of the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund; Crown Point Community Foundation; and Foundations of East Chicago. These funds will enable our program to be better prepared in case of an emergency. We will purchase essential items for “Grab & Go” bags for each of the eleven Day Service classrooms located in our main center. TradeWinds provides Day Services for children of diverse abilities and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities in our Adult Day Activity Program & Training classrooms or working at jobs in our production departments. TradeWinds is very grateful to these funders to allow our organization to improve our Emergency Preparedness program.

30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The month of July commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed on July 26, 1990. TradeWinds Services has provided opportunities for employment for over 30 years at our facilities in our Sewing Manufacturing, Packaging & Assembly, and Sign Shop departments. TradeWinds Employment Services department also prepares clients with diverse abilities to obtain and maintain employment in the Northwest Indiana community. Your support of TradeWinds Services CAN make a life-changing difference. Click the "Read More" link for a recent article on how the ADA continues to improve the lives of people with diverse abilities, published by our partner, SourceAmerica on the Yahoo Finance page.

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