Capitol Projects is preparing to celebrate its 50th year with an open house June 12.
The sheltered workshop creates jobs for folks with disabilities but also provides services for Jefferson City-area businesses, Executive Director Tami Bock said.
"What we do is provide dignified and meaningful employment for people with disabilities," Bock said. "That's our sole mission, and we've done it for 50 years."
The workshop came from humble beginnings. It started in a rented building in Jefferson City's Millbottom area. However, when the building flooded, organizers knew they'd have to find a permanent home on higher ground.
That's when the public jumped in to help.
It was 1973, and the workshop was under the organization of Lois Cook, who was one of the co-directors of the campaign to raise money for a new building; volunteers raised about $125,000. The workshop got a matching grant for $77,000 and broke ground on the current building on East McCarty Street.
The building was dedicated in 1975.
People at the workshop want to be more visible in the community, Bock said. They want to let folks know they are right up the street, working to help community businesses.
"That's how we get our work," she said. "We subcontract with them, which provides work for our employees."
Many employers that Capitol Projects originally contracted with - Scholastic, Unilever and ABB among them - continue to use the workshop, Bock said.
"That tells how beneficial the working relationship is between us and the employers," she said. "I can talk all day about what we do, but until people see, they don't know."
She said a lot of people are under the impression Capitol Projects is a place where adults are taken for "babysitting." However, when they witness how productive the workers at Capitol Projects are, their minds are changed.
"All (workers) need is a chance to use the skills they have," Bock said.
The workshop continues to employ workers from Jefferson City and the surrounding area who have physical and mental disabilities. It currently has 90 people on staff and is trying to hire more.
Those wishing to learn more about the application process should call 634-3660.
The nonprofit organization contracts with more than 25 local businesses to provide services.
The open house is 9-11 a.m. June 12 at the plant, 2001 E. McCarty St., and will feature snacks, drinks and a ribbon cutting by Lois Cook. During the celebration, the building will be dedicated to Kenneth Wagner, who was executive director of the facility for more than 35 years.