For several years, the Executive Director and Board of Directors at Nishna Productions, Inc. have had a vision and developed a plan for a project called, “The Nishna Productions, Inc. Vocational Training Center Project.” The project involves building a new vocational training center in Red Oak at 210 South Broadway. This location offers easy access for all aspects of NPI’s business. The $1,402,000 project became a reality in March of 2009 when the agency was awarded a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant through the city of Red Oak. The estimated time frame for completion is April 1, 2011, with ground breaking to take place on August 15, 2010.
The main purpose of the building project is threefold: (1)It will provide a work area large enough to efficiently accommodate all current and future Nishna Productions, Inc. business work contracts and the Red Oak Public Redemption Center; (2)It will provide a new dimension of vocational opportunities to people with disabilities through the development of a commercial laundry; (3)It will allow the existing facility to expand Adult Day Habilitation services to individuals with disabilities in less-crowded conditions.
The expansion project will mean great things to the agency’s entire Southwest Iowa service area. It will allow Nishna Productions, Inc. space for continued growth, in turn allowing the agency to increase the services they provide to Red Oak and the surrounding communities. It will allow the agency to be able to better control their costs as well as logistical expenses by housing all of the vocational services and redemption center services in one building. The expansion will allow Nishna Productions, Inc. an opportunity to begin a laundry business focusing on commercial laundry, such as uniforms, linens, shop towels, floor mats, etc. This is an endeavor that research has shown is a desired service by many local businesses as well as a business with great potential for profit and growth.
The commercial laundry will provide local employment opportunities, not only to the individuals Nishna Productions, Inc. serves, but to the community work force as well. Over time as the business grows, the commercial laundry project will allow the individuals NPI serves to work side by side with new employees from the community.
The Day Habilitation Services expansion will also offer new employment opportunities for individuals from the community. Day Habilitation Services is a program for those individuals who have chosen to no longer work at the work center, or who are not benefiting from the work center involvements. Individuals, who are involved in this program, have the opportunity for socialization, community involvement and for learning new skills It will also allow the current facility at 207 South 3rd Street to be used to enhance day habilitation services to individuals with disabilities in less-crowded conditions through expansion into the areas previously occupied by the vocational area.
The best summary of the benefits of the project can be found in statements from staff and individuals that Nishna Productions, Inc. serves. Dianne Fritz, Vocational Coordinator, Red Oak Work Center, states, “The new training center will allow us to expand both our vocational program as well as the Day Habilitation Program. This will be an opportunity for the individuals that we serve to learn new skills. We will have the opportunity to offer a much needed service to businesses located in Southwest Iowa. Hopefully this new business will allow us financial stability, so that we are less dependent on county funding.”
Mary C., an individual with disabilities served by Nishna Productions, Inc., states, “The new training center will give us more opportunities to learn. It will get us into the community working with people in the public. Everyday will be a new experience.”
As of this date, $824,500 has been made available for the project through several grants and fundraising efforts. A loan with USDA for $426,000 is in place. Nishna Productions, Inc., however, needs to raise an additional $151,500 to be able to complete the project.
One of the grants received is a 1:1 Challenge Grant from the Iowa West Foundation for $75,000. In order to receive this grant, Nishna Productions, Inc. must raise another $75,000 by March, 2011. Several grants and funding requests have already been submitted by the agency to help meet the funding criteria of the grant. However, the agency needs the support of all of Southwest Iowa in meeting the funding goal. YOU can help in a variety of ways.
You can mail a contribution to Nishna Productions, Inc. and mark it as a “Meet the Challenge” donation. Contributions can be mailed to Nishna Productions, Inc., 902 Day Street, Box 70, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601. NPI is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization. All donations can be tax deductible.
Your club or organization can initiate a fundraising project and send the proceeds from that project to Nishna Productions, Inc. “Meet the Challenge” Fundraising campaign. Nishna Productions, Inc. will be hosting “Meet the Challenge” fundraising events. You can support those events.
You have a wonderful opportunity to help an agency which has given so much back to your community. Make it your personal commitment to help Nishna Productions, Inc. “Meet the Challenge” by sending a contribution today!
Nishna Productions, Inc. is a non-profit community rehabilitation agency offering vocational and residential services to individuals with disabilities living in Page, Montgomery, Fremont, Mills and Pottawattamie counties.