News

CPA Day of Service at TradeWinds

Friday, September 28th was National CPA Day of Service. A group of volunteers from McMahon & Associates, Certified Public Accountants, P.C., located in Munster, along with several Purdue University accounting students, came to TradeWinds Services to work on several projects. Their hard work helped spruced up several areas at our facility with cleaning, painting, and yard work clean up. Many thanks go out to Dan, Marise, Matthew, Cortez, Brandon, Olivia, Jackie, and Belal, Noel, and Zachary for giving back to our community.

Thank You Crown Point Community Foundation

TradeWinds Services received a grant from the Crown Point Community Foundation to assist with the purchase of a pre-owned vehicle dedicated to transporting TradeWinds participants to and from our facilities and medical appointments. This vehicle has already been providing operational and cost efficiencies with improved gas mileage, multiple transports to meet scheduled appointments, and easier and safer loading and off-loading when transporting people who are wheelchair bound.

Impact Club makes donation to TradeWinds Deaf Services

The Impact Club: Tri-Town 3 is a group of individuals impacting the local community. They use intelligence, connections, propensity to solve problems with committed hearts, and unrelenting conviction to turn small donations into huge impacts. At their meeting in early June, the group chose TradeWinds Deaf Services as the non-profit organization to receive their donation. Janet Koontz of TradeWinds Deaf Services presented the Deaf Services program and mission to the group explaining how "Deaf are living daily in a hearing world that communicates much through written materials or verbal communication. Many aspects of our lives involve written communication: medical information, housing issues, banking, just to name a few. At Deaf Services, we are constantly faced with emergency situations. Your support will increase our ability to provide emergency response services to the Deaf community that live in Northwest Indiana." Thank you Impact Club for your generosity.

TradeWinds Services, Inc. receives $5000 Grant from Westfield Insurance Foundation

Westfield Legacy of Caring Program Lends a Hand to Communities Across America

MERRILLVILLE, IN, June 7, 2018, -- Nominated by 1st Source Insurance, TradeWinds Services, Inc. received a grant from Westfield Insurance Foundation to help provide services for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities as part of the Westfield Legacy of Caring program. At Westfield, it’s more than writing insurance policies. Helping friends and neighbors during times of need is at the core of the Westfield Insurance Foundation. Each year, Westfield independent insurance agents are invited to nominate a local nonprofit for the Legacy of Caring program. The program invests in communities and helps impact disaster recovery, family stability or safety, and programs that invest in attracting and developing talent to insurance as a career. “At 1st Source Insurance, it is our responsibility to be an active member of our community and do our part to help strengthen the communities we call home. Our knowledge of the community helps us identify an organization to nominate for this grant. It’s an honor to be part of this program,” said Debbie Rykovich, Employee Benefits Manager. We are proud of our collaboration with Westfield and the collective impact to critically important initiatives that are essential to so many people in our own backyard.” “Through the support from the Westfield Insurance Foundation and the help of 1st Source Insurance, we can increase our efforts toward family stability and safety of our children attending childcare and adults with disabilities learning in classrooms, learning new skills and working at TradeWinds Services,” said Jon Gold, CEO. This year, the Westfield Insurance Foundation donated more than $500,000 to neighborhoods across the country. 1st Source Insurance is one of 88 agencies in 17 states who nominated 95 nonprofits, including TradeWinds Services, Inc., for the Westfield Legacy of Caring grant program. Awarding grants through the program is an extension of the fundamental role that insurance plays every day in stabilizing families, businesses, and communities in times of uncertainty. Westfield is proud to work with their independent agents in distributing nearly $1.8 million in the last four years. “Our agency partners are one of our greatest assets and we appreciate their dedication to their own communities,” said Ed Largent, Westfield President, CEO, board chair and Westfield Insurance Foundation chairman. “Our agents care and work hard to protect our customers, and the Legacy of Caring grant program helps build brighter futures in their own communities.” With more than 60 years of insurance experience, 1st Source is committed to understanding our clients’ personal or business coverage needs, then offering the right services and products to meet those needs. Beginning in the 1940’s, The Lake County Association for Crippled Children was established to provide Speech and Occupational Therapy. Today, TradeWinds continues serving children with Speech and Occupational Therapy, along with the addition of Childcare and Summer Camp for children of all abilities. Over the years adult programs serving people with developmental and physical disabilities were also added and now include Adult Day Activity Program & Training (ADAPT), and Pre-Vocational Training and Industries consisting of Sewing Manufacturing, Sign Shop, and Packaging, Assembly & Order Fulfillment. TradeWinds also offers community employment opportunities through our Employment Services department, as well as Residential Group Homes and Supported Living homes and apartments, Respite for Caregivers, Deaf Services and a Chicago Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic for residents of Northwest Indiana. Westfield Insurance Foundation was established in 2005 as an independent private foundation endowed by Westfield Insurance. In keeping with the values of Westfield Insurance, the Foundation exists as a dedicated community and industry partner; concentrating resources to have an impact on safety, disaster relief, and family stability. The Foundation donates over $3 million annually to a variety of charities. Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as one of the nation’s leading property and casualty (P&C) companies, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to your protection and prosperity and to the progress of our community. Visit westfieldinsurance.com for more information.

Illiana Heating & Air Conditioning Gives Back

Every month, Illiana Heating is committed to giving back to local community organizations that are near and dear to team members. TradeWinds Deaf Services was chosen as the organization to receive their recent donation. On May 30th, Debbie Pampalone, TradeWinds Deaf Services Coordinator, and Lisa Tatina, Development & Marketing Director, attended a meeting at Illiana’s headquarters in Cedar Lake, where Debbie spoke about the Deaf Services program at TradeWinds. Debbie & Lisa received the donation of $1,500 at the meeting. Thank you to Illiana Heating & Air Conditioning and their employees for their generous donation.

Thank You to the Service League of Northwest Indiana

In early June, the Service League of Northwest Indiana presented TradeWinds Services with a $2,000 donation. A BIG thank you to the Service League for their generosity and philanthropy through the Northwest Indiana area. TradeWinds is honored that the Service League has added us to their roster of beneficiaries. The Service League of Northwest Indiana is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1938. They support the interests and activities of many Northwest Indiana charities. At its core, the Service League is a small group of women from many diverse backgrounds who look for ways to give back to our communities. Pictured are Diane Dorney, TradeWinds Sign Shop; Michelle Miller Hand, Service League; Trish Vigland, TradeWinds Sign Shop; Gloria Morris, Float Sixty; and Lisa Tatina, TradeWind Services Development & Marketing Director.

25th Annual TradeWinds Kentucky Fundraising Gala – May 5, 2018

A fun evening dressed in Kentucky Derby hats and attire. See photos of the evening: https://bellaphotographs.smugmug.com/Events/Tradewinds-Kentucky-Derby-Gala-2018/

A special thanks to all of our gala sponsors and auction donors, as well as our annual corporate sponsors, TradeWinds Believe & Achieve Choir, volunteer workers and the TradeWinds Sign Shop. Thank You 2018 Auction donors: Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, Adler Planetarium, Albanese Confectionery, Albert's Jewelers, AMC Theaters, American Girl Anonymous Donors, Asparagus, Jeffrey’s Belush Jewelers, Board & Brush – Crown Point, Bradley Sports Properties, Brad's Designs & Jewelry, Bryan’s Florist Briar Ridge Country Club, Buddy & Pal’s Place/Crown Point, Buffalo Wild Wings - Merrillville, Casey’s General Stores, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicagoland Popcorn, Chick-fil-A - Merrillville ,Commercial In-Sites ,The Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, Constant Clean Maid Service, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Costco, Crew Car Wash, Crozier Dairy Queen, Culvers, Curtis Granderson #3 - NY Mets, Dairy Queen – Griffith Jane DiMartin & Family, The Devil’s Trumpet Brewing Co. , Dunkin Donuts – Crown Point, Eco Chic Boutique, Erma Setlak, Fair Oaks Farms, Family Express Field Museum, Firehouse Subs/Merrillville, First Merchants Bank, Float Sixty, Four Winds Casino Resort, Franciscan Health & Fitness Centers, Gary Southshore Railcats, Gatorade, Jon Gold, Jimmy Gottfried, Great Harvest Bread Co/Crown Point, Greater Indiana Title Company, Highland Jewelers, Holiday Inn Express & Suites/Schererville, Home Depot Southlake, Hooters/Merrillville, Horseshoe Hammond, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts, Innsbrook Country Club, John Cicco's Menswear, Kinzie Chophouse, Larry Alt and Associates, Longhorn Steak House, McAlister's Deli, Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr., & The Hammond Port Authority, McColly Real Estate, Ron McColly, McDonalds Restaurants, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Off Square Brewing, Opportunity Enterprises, Pampalone Travel, Panera Bread, Pottawattomie Country Club, Revolution Fitness, Tina Rosenbaum, Sam’s Club, Schafer and Schafer, Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, Southlake Mall, Southwest Airlines, SpaPointe & Hair Studio, Stanley Black & Decker, Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, Tasty Olive Company, Texas Corral Grill & Saloon, The Times Media Company, TradeWinds ADAPT Program, TradeWinds Children Program, TradeWinds Services, Vanis Salon & Day Spa, Vivo Salon, Whole Foods/Schererville, The Southlake YMCA, Youche Country Club, Zoup! Highland

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NIPSCO Volunteers work with TradeWinds Children

Gardening Project

On Thursday, May 10th, a volunteer group from NIPSCO came to TradeWinds to work with our children on phase 1 of our gardening project. The volunteers, our teachers, and the children worked together planting and decorating large flowerpots as a learning experience. These gorgeous flowerpots are helping beautify some outdoor locations around the TradeWinds building. Thank you to our NIPSCO volunteers, Victoria, Michele, Jen, Pauline, and Michele for your time and talents, and thank you to Erin and Megan of Lake Area United Way, the addition of these beautiful flowers will be a reminder of your friendship and support. And, a big thank you to our TradeWinds Childcare teachers for your passion for teaching and devotion to our children.

TradeWinds Services Receives Grant from Legacy Foundation

Upgrading Security System

TradeWinds Services announces the receipt a $10,000 grant from Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, to support the safety and security of its consumers and employees. Beginning in the 1940’s, The Lake County Association for Crippled Children was established to provide Speech and Occupational Therapy. Today, TradeWinds continues serving children with Speech and Occupational Therapy, along with the addition of Childcare and Summer Camp for children of all abilities. Over the years adult programs serving people with developmental and physical disabilities were also added and now include Adult Day Activity Program & Training (ADAPT), and Pre-Vocational Training and Industries consisting of Sewing Manufacturing, Sign Shop, and Packaging, Assembly & Order Fulfillment. TradeWinds also offers community employment opportunities through our Employment Services department, as well as Residential Group Homes and Supported Living homes and apartments, Respite for Caregivers, Deaf Services and a Chicago Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic for residents of Northwest Indiana. TradeWinds will use the grant to purchase and install an upgraded security system and related equipment upgrades throughout its headquarters facility in Merrillville, Indiana. The system upgrade will replace and better manage entry and exit of – and movement within – the facility through key card access, video monitoring, intercoms and zone-based alarm systems. In addition to being a significant safety enhancement, TradeWinds should also see reduced energy use and lower utility bills as entrance and exit doors will seal tighter for security providing energy efficiency benefits. “The safety of our consumers, their families, and our staff is a top priority at TradeWinds,” said Jon Gold, CEO of TradeWinds. “With several hundred people of all abilities – from babies to retirees – entering and exiting the facility on a daily basis, we want to take every precaution to keep everyone as safe as possible. This grant will enable us to make an even safer environment.” TradeWinds serves people with special needs by empowering them to realize their full potential. Numerous children’s and adult programs take place at the center every day. Legacy Foundation invests in nonprofit services and capacity building efforts throughout Lake County, Ind. Through the generosity of a wide base of donors, Legacy Foundation has awarded $40 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and individuals since its founding in 1992. Learn more at www.legacyfdn.org. For more information about TradeWinds Services, call 219-945-0100 or visit www.tradewindsnwi.org.

Urban League of Northwest Indiana Honors TradeWinds

2018 Moving the Needle Award

On Thursday, March 22, 2018, TradeWinds Services was honored with the “2018 Moving the Needle” award by the Urban League of Northwest Indiana at their Annual Diversity & Inclusion Luncheon. The “Moving the Needle” award is for exceptional effort in meeting the criteria of the three other award categories – Community, Leadership, and Workforce Diversity. The Community Award is presented to an organization or group that actively supports activities and services which engages diverse citizens and develops opportunities for inclusion. The Leadership Award is awarded to an organization that promotes diversity and inclusion on a local and regional level. The Workforce Diversity Award is awarded to an organization that implements innovative strategies to attract, select, promote and maintain a more diverse and inclusive workforce. TradeWinds Services met all three criteria--serving people with special needs throughout the Northwest Indiana area, operating a variety of residential living spaces, the creation of the “Believe & Achieve” Choir that allows the showcase of talents and giving to others and uniting people of all ethnicities through common programs that benefit everyone. The TradeWinds "Believe & Achieve" choir had the privilege of singing the National Anthem to begin the luncheon. Jon Gold, CEO, received this prestigious award at the luncheon; it was five years since the award was last presented.