When you first step foot into TradeWinds, an enormous sense of comfort and warmth overwhelms you. Maybe it’s the bright and inviting colors on the walls. Maybe it’s the attractive graphics from MixDesign. Perhaps it’s the smiling, faces of everyone who passes you by. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: at TradeWinds, everyone is welcome and everyone has strong potential.
TradeWinds began its journey in the 1940’s when it was called the Lake County Association for Crippled Children. The organization offered speech hearing and therapy services to children with disabilities. In the late 50’s and early 60’s, the society’s director Ted Dombrowski was able to gather volunteers to construct the original TradeWinds building. This was referred to as their “Labor of Love”.
Click here to view more pictures!
It was after this initial construction, the 46 business leaders who referred to themselves as “The Pirates” came together to ensure that TradeWinds would always have the funds to keep their business open. It was also during this time that the TradeWinds name was created through an elementary school contest.
At its core, TradeWinds is two things: a series of programs for both children and adults, specializing in education, caretaking and job training. The other consists of services that range from textile and garment sewing services to computer recycling. At TradeWinds, the goal isn’t just one or the other, it’s a cycle designed to take individuals and prepare them for a safe and encouraging workforce while providing them with plenty of care.
“We spent many an hour in the waiting room at the TradeWinds facility in Gary while our daughter Tracy received therapy there,” says former client Janice King Rogula. “She was born with Spina-bifida. They taught her how to walk and many other things that helped her to have a normal life. I am grateful for each and everyone who participated in her development and all those who worked with her.”
The entire TradeWinds facility features fully equipped rooms for all age groups. TradeWinds cares for children as young as 6 weeks old to adults looking for jobs or wanting to learn vocational skills. This means that class rooms for children were filled with toys, brightly colored posters and learning materials for all skill levels. The facility also features a large and brightly lit gymnasium with enough room to run around and participate in all manner of physical activity.
“It’s incredible how this facility allows the children to grow and learn in such a loving environment,” said Business Development Specialist Kathy Mangel. “It’s not entirely uncommon to see children come here, grow up into adulthood and then come back as adults, sometimes with their own children.”
Towards the back of the facility is where a majority of the work and manufacturing takes place. TradeWinds features textiles designed to sew protective garments used by the US Department of Defense. Not only are the garments sewn, but also packed and shipped to locations around the world.
TradeWinds also features computer recycling services that dismantle computers and their hard drives, making sure that all computers and computer related material are taken care of with full compliance with state and federal laws.
Along with textiles and computers, TradeWinds also features a sign shop that specializes in creating custom signs for businesses. Whether you need a customer decal or outdoor banner, these signs are ready to be made.
As with the children, TradeWinds is fully equipped with facilities and supplies necessary to take care of adults. This includes a recreational facility that features areas to rest and relax along with games and a fully attentive staff that allows each employee to keep their brain active and alert. The staff strives to provide engaging and enlightening activities and experiences to ensure that each individual is happy and engaged. The people at TradeWinds also take the adults on recreational trips such as bowling and golf outings to give them plenty of time to relax and unwind.
“A few days ago, I had someone come up to me and tell me that today was her best ever,” says Director of Development and Marketing Steven Conger. “I’m sure tomorrow she’ll come up to me and say that today is the best day ever. To me, that’s the reason why I’m here. At the end of the day, we want to make them feel successful. Whatever they’re doing, they’re successful.”
TradeWinds also provides housing for its residents, ensuring that everyone has a community to live in where they feel safe and still live normal home lives. Residents live together, cook together, shop together and even travel together.
“My cousin Andy has autism and it's incredible to know that if anything were to happen and he needed to go to the group homes, knowing that someone will be there to help him is awesome,” says Ideas in Motion Media photographer Anna Hanson. “I love him an incredible amount, so it’s great to know that the people who need help, get their help.”
At the end of the day, everyone encountered at Tradewinds had a happy, positive smile on their face. TradeWinds is not an employment facility. TradeWinds is not a care facility. TradeWinds is a community dedicated to people. They want what’s best for their clients and looks at them the same way a family member does. These people have a place in the world, they have a skill, and they have a purpose.
And like the family that is always looking out for you, the people who live and work with TradeWinds are always there for them. The warmth and comfort extending beyond the colors that greet you as you enter the building, it’s a warmth that finds you, and lingers long after.