OUR STORY
Founded in 1971, New Ventures, Inc. has been serving Troup County for 50 years! Initially serving as a sheltered workshop for the West Georgia area, we provided work programs and leisure activities for adults with developmental disabilities. In response to community needs, our programs expanded to include work evaluation, work adjustment, sheltered employment, and job placement.
Many years later, the job training program expanded again to serve individuals with other barriers to employment. Other barriers to employment may include, but are not limited to, homelessness, lack of education, lack of work experience, lack of transportation, criminal history, etc. The expansion in services led to the establishment of our mission,
“New Ventures, Inc. is a training company that teaches necessary skills for successful employment.”
Originally named “LaGrange Area Sheltered Workshop,” the Board of Directors welcomed the citizens of West Georgia to the grand opening in 1971; operations were in full service by 1972 thanks to funding by the Callaway Foundation, federal grants, and the local government. The workshop initially served adults with developmental disabilities providing programs of work and leisure activities.
The Lagrange Area Sheltered Workshop was recognized for the first time by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) after successfully meeting the high standards of performance required by CARF.
Additionally, through a partnership with Rubbermaid Specialty Products, Inc., the construction of a hydroponic greenhouse led to more opportunities for participants of the program to grow, care for, and sell fresh tomatoes to the community.
The LaGrange Sheltered Workshop officially changed its name to New Ventures, Inc. (NVI), the same name that we carry today. The name change was an appropriate result of the expanded services over the previous years to include work evaluation, work adjustment, sheltered employment, and job placement.
Partnering with the local Duracell plant, New Ventures began capping 9 Volt batteries and has since taken on many other projects throughout the 32-year partnership with the corporation.
The 20th Anniversary and Open House celebration for NVI was held on October 25th, 1992, on Fort Drive. This event celebrated all the staff, board members, and participants who made the first 20 years of service an astounding success.
Additionally, CARF recognized the Board of Directors and Staff of New Ventures for their excellent work by awarding the highest level of accreditation after the June 1992 survey.
New Ventures went through a leadership change and welcomed Dave Miller as the new President and CEO after the retirement of long-time Executive Director, Jim Kelly.
NVI began producing soap and floor buffing pads for the State-Use Program and packaging first aid kits and first aid kit refills for the Georgia Department of Transportation. The State-Use Program requires state funded facilities to purchase first aid kits, soap, and other cleaning products from rehabilitation facilities like NVI.
Reestablishing a relationship with Milliken, New Ventures began sewing cove base and surging area rugs for the local textile plants.
NVI’s training program was expanded to serve not only those with disabilities, but any persons with barriers to employment including but not limited to criminal history, lack of education, lack of work experience, homelessness, lack of transportation, etc. In partnership with local outreach groups, NVI has assisted individuals transitioning from the justice system, homeless individuals, and more.
Additionally, NVI purchased a 181,000 square foot warehouse at 150 Lukken Industrial Drive in LaGrange, Ga. This new space allowed for a large increase in the business solutions capabilities, which resulted in many new training opportunities.
With increased opportunities in textile sustainability, New Ventures welcomed a new partnership with Interface and started recycling their unused yarn.
After 26 years of dedicated service, Dave Miller retired as the CEO and New Ventures welcomed Mike Wilson into the role after his 8 years of dedicated service on the NVI leadership team.
A partnership with Troup County School System was re-established to support students in their exceptional education programs as they transition from school to work. Named the “12 Plus Program”, students are provided classroom space in our facility as well as opportunities to try different areas of work before aging out of the school system.
Calumet Center for Healing and Attachment, a local residential facility aimed at serving women and children seeking recovery-support services for trauma, mental illness, or substance abuse becomes a division of NVI and will operate out of the Thyme Away Campus. NVI now serves as the parent organization.
The 150 Lukken Industrial Dr. location becomes the centralized headquarters of operation for NVI. Additions have been made to include expanded office space, classrooms, and renovated production areas. With this move, the future will hold more opportunities to serve the community, a chance to grow our brand, and holds the promise of many more great milestones to be reached.
TODAY
New Ventures continues to grow with the community and evolve to meet its changing needs. Today, New Ventures serves each trainee based on his or her situation. We work with our trainees to set personal goals, create plans to achieve their goals, sharpen work skills, find an area of work that they are passionate about, and identify job placement opportunities that will help them reach success.
At New Ventures, we make sure each trainee has an equal opportunity and is trained with the same values and goals in mind.
