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Changing lives, one job at a time.

Work Skills Corporation has a life-changing impact on those they serve. Supporting people of all abilities on their path to independence.

Work Skills Corporation

The Work Skills Corporation headquarters in Brighton is home to the Artisan Corner Boutique, the Work Skills Production shop, a sensory gym and more. This unassuming building on Summit Street has been bustling with caring community members for over 50 years. Dedicated to empowering individuals facing employment barriers. And growing with the needs of the community they serve.

Building the foundation.

Building the foundation.

WSC began in Brighton in 1973, motivated by a group caring parents and community partners determined to make a difference. The group of concerned parents discovered a gap in necessary services as their children aged out of available programing. In their search for support, they found a community partner, Rod Jones at Michigan Rehabilitative Services, who was able to develop, build, and launch Work Skills1. He believed that finding employment was the basis for most people to become self-sufficient.

By providing training and job placement services, Work Skills began to offer people facing disabilities a pathway to more self-sufficient lives. Jones used his connection with local businesses to begin the first branch of WSC, WSC Staffing, that works to connect employees with companies. Offering an alternative staffing services that also gives back to the community.

 

WSC Staffing is for anyone, according to Julie S, Work Skills Foundation Development Director. “It’s like any staffing service in the area except that when you work through WSC, part of the revenue goes back into our mission. You can feel good about having a top-notch workforce. And about providing benefits to someone who needs it.”

Growing with the community

Growing with the community

While employment services remain at the heart of all they do, WSC has expanded over the years in direct response to the needs of the community they serve. The programs have evolved to include home care and residential services, clinical support, Artisan Corner, and more.

WSC can respond to the community because when we see a need, we figure out a way to make it happen. We love our work, and we’re really excited about it.

- Julie S., Work Skills Foundation Director

One of the services Work Skills is proud to offer is Artisan Corner1, an art program where participants can create and sell their original work. Because Work Skills believes that providing support for employment, housing needs, and clinical support are fundamental needs. But they also believe in the importance of offering their participants the resources and encouragement to express themselves creatively.

Artisan Corner

Artisan Corner

The art studio at Work Skills is a bright and joyful place. But not only because of the rainbow of art supplies and artwork decorating the studio. There is also a positive energy championed by the Art Coordinator, Michelle A., who shares her love of Artisan Corner and care for her students. Guiding, supporting and uplifting them, from students of art all the way to becoming working artists.

Michelle A. joined the team at Work Skills over 10 years ago and has seen her students go on to become independent artists with their own businesses, participate in Art Prize in Grand Rapids, pop-up shops and local art walks. But the best thing is giving each student a dedicated space and time to express themselves in creative and beautiful ways. “I have the best job at Work Skills, remarks Michelle with a smile, “and being here keeps you young.”

Connection to Lake Trust

Connection to Lake Trust

Lake Trust and Work Skills first connected in 2015. Representatives from Lake Trust, including CEO David Snodgrass, met with WSC for a tour and to learn more about how Work Skills supports the community. At that time, Work Skills was building their second residential space for WSC participants, a home located in Genoa Township. Lake Trust encouraged WSC to apply for a grant and they were awarded the grant form Lake Trust that allowed them to complete the home.

 

Lake Trust supported Work Skills annual golf outing in 2018 and began as a Gold Donor. In 2020, Lake Trust became a Vision Partner and committed to supporting Work Skills by giving at least $10,000 annually. And has remained a Vision Partner with Work Skills ever since. This partnership helps further the shared vision of creating a world in which everyone thrives.

Team members from Lake Trust have volunteered with Work Skills on their annual Powered by Good Day since its launch. And the Lake Trust headquarters in Brighton regularly hosts the Artisan Corner Boutique pop-up shop. “We love doing pop-up shops at Lake Trust,” says Julie, the employees at Lake Trust headquarters can peruse and shop Artisan Corner Boutique during their workday. And the money made goes to the artists. “Our relationship with Lake Trust is so important to me. It really is,” says Julie, “Lake Trust has been a wonderful partner over the years, supporting the work we do.”

We overcome many obstacles by maintaining a flexible, solutions-oriented approach, focusing on innovation and collaboration.

- Anita J., Work Skills Corporation COO

Learn more about WSC and the programs available at wskills.com1

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