Nonprofit serving adults with mental disabilities to hold open house at new job training center in Leechburg

The Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County wants to get to know the Leechburg community.

The nonprofit is planning an open house at Thursday, at its new Adult Achievement Center on Market Street.

Founded in 1968, the workshop provides services and programming for adults with mental disabilities. The company’s Adult Achievement Centers specialize in developing skills and behavior to help their clients lead independent lives.

“We kind of look at the county and try to see where there’s a need (for services),” CEO Michelle Reefer said.

According to Reefer, the company had been seeing a rise in referrals from clients in the Leechburg area, and it began exploring the possibility of opening a location closer to those clients. The workshop is based in Kittanning with programming locations in Shelocta in Indiana County and now Leechburg.

Since opening Sept. 30, Reefer said the Adult Achievement Center has been visited by other business owners and residents to welcome the staff.

“We’re very excited about being in Leechburg,” Reefer said. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming.”

On Nov. 14, the Adult Achievement Center will be open to the public for tours of the facility and sessions about how to make a referral.

“The goal of it, at least for me, is to introduce ourselves to the community,” Reefer said.

Local businesses also will have an opportunity to sign up for the workshop’s Small Group Employment and Supported Employment programs. The small group employment lends local businesses an extra hand when it comes to manpower for projects.

PWAC clients offer lawn, cleaning and document destruction services.

Supported employment focuses on helping clients through the interview process with local businesses. In the past, clients have been hired at fast-food restaurants, day cares and banks.

In addition to these programs, clients also can work with direct care staff to hone their soft skills. These include washing clothes, light cooking and fine motor skills.

“The achievement center helps (clients) to learn the skills that would allow them to go into work settings ranging from pre-vocational to competitive hiring,” Reefer said.

The PWAC accepts referrals from most counties in Western Pennsylvania. With the Market Street location, the company will be able to serve a wider area of clients without making clients travel too far for their programs.

“Leechburg is such a unique location because it borders three counties,” Reefer said. “We’re very excited about this location.”