WHO WE ARE

Northern Valley is a not-for-profit corporation that enjoys a distinctive position by serving the public as a vocational development and commensurate wage employment facility.  Not only do we provide many necessary services and programs for people with varying individual needs, we also have a strong presence in local industry as a subcontractor to area businesses.

While we do receive income from different agencies, the vast majority of our operational budget comes from the revenue generated from our subcontract work.  Our workforce of over 100 clients and staff consistently meet the demands of doing high-quality, on-time work for the companies which entrust us to execute the production of their product at the level they themselves would.

Yet providing a workplace for those with disabilities is not the only service we provide and our service programs play a large role in who we are as a corporation.  Northern Valley’s purpose has always been to enable those with employment challenges to become as productive as their potentials allow and to gain the satisfaction and respect associated with having a meaningful, worthwhile job.

One of the key elements of our service formula is our subcontract fabrication, assembly and packaging business. This is real work for real pay, not a make-work program. The companies we subcontract with are the best firms in the area, with high standards for quality and on-time delivery. We have spent years building and maintaining systems that ensure our quality and delivery systems match their own. This commitment to meeting their needs has enabled us to build long-term relationships with these businesses. We have learned how to deliver effective vocational programming in a well-managed not-for-profit business.

The importance of operating an efficient, successful business increases annually under the persistent pressure to fund more of the cost of services. Northern Valley receives funding for just over half of the disabled workers in our programs. Welcome assistance for others is provided via an allocation from Marathon County and donations. However, the majority of the dollars required to provide specialized services to our client workers comes from our subcontract business revenues. Generally, over 80% of all Northern Valley’s earnings are from its business.

Since 1965, Northern Valley has been a programming and employment option for people with disabilities. Our programs provide work, counseling, support, and skill development for those who are not able or ready to enter the competitive workplace. On a daily basis, we serve approximately 100 individuals at Northern Valley. Our total enrollment averages 115. Of these, about 65 are sponsored by outside organizations that purchase our services, while 35 receive services that are funded entirely through our business earnings. The remaining workers are competitive workers hired to assist in meeting production demands.

Our future requires that we maintain both a successful human service program supported by the community and a successful subcontract business. A blended workforce of those with disabilities and without has proven to be the most beneficial to our clients and customers. Our desire is to serve as many disabled workers now and in the future as our funding and subcontract business is able to support.