In the month of September, Welcomed Co™ will highlight local organizations we partner with to create a more welcoming world.

*The information below was obtained from the WE Inc. Website.*

For more than 120 years, Workshops Empowerment Inc. has provided employment opportunities to people with disabilities. Today, WE Inc. continues that legacy and provides much more. Through training and workforce development, WE Inc. helps individuals be their best selves. Through handwork and fulfillment, they provide businesses outsourcing solutions vital to their success while also providing jobs to people with employment barriers. Their mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment by helping to ensure they achieve their vocational potential

History

• In 1900, a group of Birmingham citizens established a workshop for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, especially those with vision impairments. Initially, Workshops Inc. clients created products (brooms and mops) for sale. In addition, they operated sewing rooms where pajamas and sheets were made for hospitals and tuberculosis sanitariums. The company grew in the first half of the century through government contracts during the World Wars. From 1950 through the 1970’s, Workshops, Inc. added wood-working, upholstery, and craft work capabilities to their offerings.
• In recent decades, the Workshops, Inc. clientele expanded to include both people with disabilities and those with other barriers to employment. They trained them together in production areas while providing outsourcing solutions for local businesses. Areas included assembly, mailing, fulfillment, and handwork solutions.
• This allowed them to serve more people and also integrate the workplace to include people of all abilities working side-by-side. Having an integrated workforce and paying all workers equal wages regardless of ability allowed Workshops, Inc. to become the first internationally accredited Affirmative Business Enterprise in Alabama.
• In early 2021, Workshops Inc. became Workshops Empowerment Inc (WE Inc.) to better align their work with their identity and to reflect changes in best practices in our field.

Workforce Development Programs

WE Inc. believes that EVERYONE has something positive to contribute to the community. Their services are geared toward helping develop each person’s abilities, bringing out their passion, and ultimately, becoming and remaining successfully employed.

Vocational Evaluation

With WE Inc.’s Vocational Evaluation services, a wide array of tests and exercises are provided in order to assess the interests and strengths of their clients. This process gives direction to those who are not sure where to begin in their job search.

Job Preparation

WE Inc.’s Job Preparation services focus on teaching consumers the traits and habits that make for a good employee. This learning experience is guided by experienced staff who assist each consumer in the development and implementation of an individualized plan focusing on each person’s desires, abilities, and experience.

Community Employment

In keeping with the mission of helping to ensure every person works toward their vocational potential, WE Inc. assists individuals, who demonstrate readiness, with finding employment in the larger community. They help with job search, developing resumes, completing applications, and practicing interviews.

Youth Transition

WE Inc. provides fun and educational services to high school students with disabilities – aimed at helping them successfully transition from high school to employment or post-secondary education.

Affirmative Business Enterprise

Some of those WE Inc. serves need the consistency, stability and support of working for an extra-accommodating workplace. WE Inc. is proud to offer this opportunity in an in-house Affirmative Business Enterprise, in which production workers of all abilities work side-by-side and for equal wages as they complete outsourced handwork for local businesses.

Business Solutions

WE Inc. offers staffing services as well as local outsourcing solutions across all industries and businesses. An available workforce of 100+ enthusiastic associates handles the assembly, packaging and fulfillment needs of local companies.

Outsourcing Solutions & Employment Services

WE Inc. has the ability to meet virtually any outsource requirements of routine or low-skilled tasks. A large workforce with close supervision and quality assurance can help local businesses maximize turnaround time and profits. Tasks include: kitting, packaging, collating, mailing, stuffings, and more.

WE Inc. can also provide onsite help to organizations looking to hire their next great employee. A pool of eager workers are looking to earn a paycheck and be more active participants in their community. 

WE Made

WE Made is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides jobs and job training to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment in the Birmingham Metro area. Through their workforce development program, WE Made trains participants in the food service and retail industries with both hands-on work experience alongside a curriculum around job readiness.

Participants graduate with tangible skills, ready to apply to work beyond the workshop. With WE Inc.’s network of community partners, WE Made can ensure that everyone reaches their vocational potential by connecting graduates with jobs in and around the Birmingham metro area.

WE Made offers a variety of products, all handmade with the highest quality ingredients in small batches at their workshop in Birmingham, AL.

WE Made’s baking mixes make impressing a crowd easy and are also a thoughtful gift for someone special. Their sprays (room spray, bug spray, and stinky dog spray) make it convenient to choose a natural alternative. The Handmade Fire Starters take the stress away from starting a fire and enjoying the summer nights. Click here to shop at WE Made.

For more information on WE Inc, call 205-592-9683

Photo Credit: WE Inc workers outside of building by AMD Creative