News

Thanks to Aldi Corp. Smart Kids program

Thank you to the Valparaiso Division of Aldi Corporation – for the ALDI Smart Kids grant funds to help provide a summer camp experience for youth with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. TradeWinds Functional Skills Summer Camp program helps bridge the 2-month school break by providing consistent practice to build/retain functional skills. Many activities include hands-on multi-sensory media and group activities with peers such as money management, grocery shopping, social skills, hobbies, etc. This funding has helped support a local family in need while they work in our community.

Thank you to Lake Area United Way and Indiana United Ways with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

TradeWinds Services will receive new grant funding from the NWI COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund, thanks to the Lake Area United Way and Indiana United Ways with the funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc. It is a top priority to keep a clean, healthy, and safe learning environment in our Children’s department. Our staff and added janitorial have enhanced protocols to ensure we meet these expectations. The additional funds will help TradeWinds cover these enhanced efforts and the costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

NIPSCO partners with TradeWinds

Supporting the health and safety of its participants, employees, and visitors!

TradeWinds Services, Inc. enhanced the health and safety of its participants, employees, and visitors, thanks to a $10,000 donation from NIPSCO. TradeWinds installed air purifiers in its main facilities in Merrillville and in their group homes throughout the local communities. “The health and safety of our participants, their families, our staff, and our visitors are a top priority at TradeWinds”, said CEO, Jon Gold. “We have hundreds of people of all abilities and ages entering and exiting our facility every day, and we want to take every precaution to keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible. This funding from NIPSCO will assist us in doing so.” The air purifiers were installed by Budd Mechanical Systems, Hammond. “iWave is an air purifying device that installs in any air conditioning or heating system. When air passes over the iWave, ions produced by the device reduce pathogens, allergens, particles, smoke, and odors in the air, creating a healthy environment without producing any harmful byproducts,” said Dana Booth, owner of Budd Mechanical Systems in Hammond. TradeWinds serves people with special needs by empowering them to realize their full potential. Numerous children’s and adult programs are administered at the main centers and in the group homes each and every day. “Health and safety of our customers and employees is a big priority for NIPSCO,” said Rick Calinski, Director of Public Affairs and Economic Development for NIPSCO. “We are proud to partner with TradeWinds to enhance the safety and wellbeing of all who enter their facility. TradeWinds offers such great services in Northwest Indiana, and NIPSCO has been a proud supporter for decades.” Pictured are TradeWinds Services Inc. Director of Donor Development & Marketing, Lisa Tatina, and CEO, Jon Gold. Megan Henning, NIPSCO – Project Communications Lead, and Dana Booth, President, Budd Mechanical Systems.

Thanks to @earlylearningindiana and Lilly Endowment.

Come Back Stronger - Round #2 Funding

TradeWinds Services Child Care is proud to announce the receipt of the 2nd round of Come Back Stronger funding thanks to a generous grant from @earlylearningindiana and Lilly Endowment. This additional funding will help our early child care and education program safely operate and deliver quality early learning experiences. These funds will help with the recurring expenses to maintain a safe & social distancing environment; with PPE, professional services, staffing, learning loss, and added sanitizing protocols to safely serve our children, families, and staff and help Northwest Indiana come back stronger!

Thank You Lake Area United Way

Providing grant funds for TradeWinds e-Learning Support Lab

TradeWinds Services will receive funds from the Lake Area United Way ALICE Strategy Grant. These funds will help support TradeWinds e-Learning lab for children with differing abilities who require additional supports, some with underlying health concerns, and for our staff with children who need guidance while they work at their jobs. The e-Learning lab has a support coordinator and staff to assist with organizing, motivating, and maintaining students' schedules, assist with assignment deadlines, and FaceTime/Zoom appointments with schoolteachers. There are also additional supports available from our Occupational and Speech Therapists to help with functional skills for those children who have mild/moderate developmental disabilities and need hands-on experience and consistent practice. In addition, our Child Care Coordinator is available for guidance with behavioral needs. The program also includes enrichment and exercise activities to help with focus and to burn off excess energy during the day. The support lab has been an alternative to isolated remote learning; providing smaller scale socialization in a supervised, safe, and secure learning environment while giving parents peace of mind while they are at work.

TradeWinds Bowling Fundraising Event will be postponed until a later date.

We will keep you posted when we reschedule this event.

Safety is our #1 priority. We want to make sure all of our participants, staff, board members, donors, local business partners, vendors, and friends stay safe. Thank you for your continued support.

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.