New Lenox Woodworks is a day program with Trinity Services, Inc, also located in New Lenox, Illinois. As our motto says, we are “Helping people with disabilities live full and abundant lives.” At New Lenox Woodworks, the individuals we serve are our main focus and woodworking is a means by which we accomplish our goal. When everyone is present, we have 25 individuals who come to NLW where they assist in making all sorts of wood products, such as: Adirondack chairs rocking chairs, double rocking chairs, bird houses, bird feeders, children’s furniture, cedar chests, our world famous “fish chairs,” and many, many more items. You will have to visit our woodworking shop located at 14605 West Edison Drive in New Lenox, Illinois to see more of what we make. Or, keep tuned in to our Facebook page as we showcase the things the individuals build. The staff at NLW cuts out the pieces of the projects and the individuals take it from there. Each individual is evaluated as to their abilities in the woodworking process: (1) sanding, (2) priming, (3) painting, (4) varnishing, and (5) detail painting. They also assist staff in the assembly of the project pieces to the final product. If an individual is proficient at one of the 5 levels and would like to learn how to do the next level upward, we will help them learn the skills needed to get to that next level. It does not give them more money, but it does open up more opportunities for them to work. Each individual receives wages that are commensurate with their abilities. They always look forward to each payday. (Don’t we all!) We also have what we call “The Over 10 Club” whereby every individual who works more than 10 hours in a pay period is eligible to be in The Over 10 Club and gets to participate in two special events in the next pay period. Past club outings have included such things as a picnic at a local park, a game of basketball at an open court nearby, and a trip to the Creamery to enjoy an ice cream cone. Currently there are four staff members who work alongside me, serving as a team to do everything that makes NLW what it is. Jim has been here the longest; he was here when I came five years ago. Jim does a great job in making sure that three times a week each individual studies and learns their objectives that are formulated at the annual gathering of their care givers. These objectives are life skills that the individuals would like to gain in order to help them live fuller lives. Dan has been at NLW off and on for the last four years. Dan is now a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago and has served on the NLW staff during his summer vacations, holiday vacations, spring breaks, etc. Dan is a great staff member whom all the individuals at NLW look forward to his next time of being at Woodworks. Dan serves the individuals by helping them as they develop project parts and then by helping them to assemble them into a completed project. Dan will be graduating next spring with a degree in Criminal Justice. He will be missed at NLW. Meaghan has been with us about six months and is a valuable staff member on the NLW team. Some individuals who attend our program have limited interest in actual woodworking but do enjoy coming to the woodshop. Meaghan holds classes with these individuals and teaches them living skills such as cooking, horticulture, safety practices, current events, art projects and weather. Meaghan also leads the entire woodworking individuals and staff on a one mile walk every day, weather permitting. Further, she is responsible for the initiation and daily postings of this Facebook page. Jeremy has been at NLW for a few months now and is already proving to be a great help with the men as they build various projects. His building skills make him a great asset to the program. All in all, I truly believe the staff at NLW is one of the best staff/teams of Trinity Services. We meet every morning for 20 minutes before the individuals come to the shop. We discuss the coming activities of the day, any issues that have arisen or issues we think will arise, and any special assignments of the day. It is because of the staff’s commitment to the program, their care for the individuals we serve, and their willingness to work together as a team that makes Woodworks what it is today, and even better tomorrow. Mike McCutcheon Program Coordinator, New Lenox Woodworks
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:19:04 +0000
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