Development Workshop creates lifetime of greater independence

The Development Workshop continually strives to create a lifetime of greater independence for its clients.

Vice President of Marketing, Greg Katainen explained the purpose of the Center, stating, “Development workshops mission is to assist individuals who have a disability, or who are disadvantaged to recognize and achieve their chosen level of economic and social independence.”

The Center focuses on two tracks of rehabilitation: one including vocational services, and the other including a skills development program.

Katainen continued by explaining, “For forty seven years, we’ve been working with individuals to help develop daily living skills, vocational skills, getting them paid employment opportunities, and placing them into competitive employment to help them be as independent as possible.”

Craig Johnson is a client at the Development Workshop, who is continually working toward his daily living, social, and communication goals.

His mother, Nancy Johnson described what it has been like to raise her son, and their experiences as a family.

“I don’t know that we’ve really ever looked at him that he’s disadvantaged or handicapped, it’s more that’s just Craig, and he just does things a little different than others,” she continued, “It’s more of what Craig is capable of doing versus what he is not capable and I think as you work with children with disadvantages or disabilities, that if you look at it that way, what they capable of doing, then they accomplish a lot more.”

Client, Charles Collier is able to showcase his talents and thrive at the center.

“I love drawing for people here. I’ll draw for any worker, I’ll draw for any client, as long as they love it. I find the workshop to be one of the best places that you could go and be at,” stated Collier.

The Center is the only program of its kind in Eastern Idaho that has earned national accreditation.