Work-services program a big part of Flathead Industries

To many, the name Flathead Industries brings to mind a chain of thrift stores. But behind the shelves and racks is a much larger picture: an operation with a mission as valuable to the Flathead Valley community as a piece of merchandise is to the avid thrifter. 

Flathead Industries dedicates itself to creating opportunities for people with disabilities by giving them a place in the community to live and work. Since its beginning in 1973 from a vision to deinstitutionalize disabled adults, Flathead Industries has grown and flourished from a recycling center staffed with eight individuals to a multifaceted corporation of work service, recreation, vocational rehabilitation and residential programs governed by a volunteer board of directors. 

Flathead Industries' work-services program employs approximately 130 adults with developmental disabilities, who work under the supervision of a staff. Revenue from the three thrift stores - Flathead Industries Thrift in Kalispell, Glacier Thrift in Columbia Falls and Stumptown Thrift in Whitefish - helps to support them, as does their income from working in the thrift stores or in one of three facilities - the production area, seniors area and rag barn.

"Most of the folks in [the work-services program] would not be safe in competitive employment," said Michelle Pellett, manager of the three facilities, explaining that they may be more vulnerable to exploitation. But she acknowledges that experience gained from the work-services program may prepare them for outside employment.

"We want to help them increase their quality of life and build independence," she said.

Job duties in the thrift stores, open Monday through Saturday, include receiving, sorting, pricing, tagging, stocking, restocking, straightening and cleaning.

In the production area, located in Flathead Industry's corporate office building on Fourth Avenue West North in Kalispell, consumers cut rags to be sold in the thrift stores and remove buttons from donated clothing unfit for sale. They also carry out contracts established with various companies to perform assembly work, make badges for local political candidates, fold towels, and shred paper. The facility also employs a janitorial staff. Production area consumers work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Consumers in the adjoining seniors area are in Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. While some still receive paychecks to perform jobs in the production area, many - who are retired but receive residential services - come solely to partake in assorted recreational activities.

A day in the seniors area is never dull, as evidenced by the room's brightly colored seasonal décor (currently a Hawaiian luau theme) and the field trips, food, parties, arts and crafts sessions and fundraising activities that highlight the events calendar.

Consumers frequently walk across the street to shop at Kalispell Center Mall, and a van takes them on outings to lunch, Walmart, the Kalispell Senior Center or even to visit a peer who may be in the hospital.

Birthdays are much-anticipated events, as are other holidays. Consumers make scrapbooks to document every party and fundraiser. And food is never in short supply - whether it's Chinese takeout, soups from the in-house Crock-Pot, homemade ice cream or s'mores.

The third branch of work service is the rag barn, a facility similar to the production area but designed for those with hypersensitivity to noise or crowds. Use of a renovated potato barn located five miles north of Kalispell on Church Drive, was donated to Flathead Industries in 2006 by the family of a consumer. Flathead Industries' Chief Executive Officer Vickie Poynter calls the donation a blessing, as it significantly helped the organization to develop and expand at a rate that otherwise may not have been possible.

Pellett said that the addition of the rag barn also relieved the previously cramped space of the production area, which often created stress for consumers.

"It's been extremely beneficial, and we've seen a huge decrease in [negative] behaviors," she said.

In 1991, Flathead Industries was the first nonprofit provider in the Flathead Valley to open a fully accessible group-home facility for people with disabilities. Now, the organization's residential component provides residential services between six group homes and two supported living apartment complexes to approximately 60 individuals, all of whom previously lived either with their families or in an institution.

A staff is available around the clock to provide support that reflects each individual resident's needs. The philosophy behind the residential services, as explained on Flathead Industries' website, is to "assure that clients receive the support they want and need in the least restrictive environment possible, with minimal intrusion."

Career Connections, Flathead Industries' vocational rehabilitation division, was established more than 20 years ago and helps people with all types of disabilities find employment. Its clients are referred to them by several agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Montana Vocational Rehabilitation, Montana State Fund, as well as private vocational rehabilitation agencies.

The organization's recreation program offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for adults with disabilities, including hikes and boat rides in Glacier National Park, an annual end-of-summer camping retreat to the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, and participation in Special Olympics Montana.

On July 17, Flathead Industries held its 20th annual fundraiser, Climb Big Mountain, a 3.8-mile hike up the Danny On Trail. Event participants also had the option to golf at one of five Flathead Valley golf courses as an alternative to hiking.

Now, with management contracts in place with similar organizations - Little Bitterroot Services Inc. in Plains and Achievements Inc. in Libby - Flathead Industries' far-reaching efforts are more apparent than ever.

"It was all community effort," Poynter said. "The Flathead Valley is probably one of the largest communities that has opened its arms to people with disabilities."

For more information on Flathead Industries, visit www.flatheadindustries.org.