CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., is proud to announce that Carla Jockisch has been named Director of Development. The appointment becomes effective immediately.

In making the announcement, CWTC Executive Director Patti Gratton added, “We are excited to have Carla join our team. We know that her commitment to our community will be an asset for advocating for adults with disabilities.”

Jockisch is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has worked at Peoria Catholic Charities and MultiAd Services where she served as a Project Manager. Jockisch says, “As part of the Development team at CWTC, I am excited to be able to help CWTC lead Central Illinois in successful integration of people with disabilities. I am so inspired by the generosity and compassion the of Peoria area community. I feel blessed I am able to stay connected to our community and engage my own children in the valuable lesson of giving back.” Carla also attended Peoria Notre Dame High School where she met her husband Jack. They have four children.

CWTC’s fundraiser at the Metro Center Farmer’s Market this past weekend was a great success!  A sincere thank you goes out to all that supported the event.  The consumers really enjoyed nurturing these plants which started as tiny seeds back in the blustery month of February.  The bird houses and feeders turned out great, too!  The wood used for the bird houses were previously being discarded and it was nice to see the material find new life in the back yards of our supporting community.  The repurposed pallet gardens also generated a lot of interest.  All of these projects taught many valuable skills to consumers and this is just the beginning.  We will be back out and about in the near future – bringing the community together. See more pictures by clicking HERE!

Sgt. David Shadowens, husband of CWTC employee Jennifer Shadowens, recently deployed to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard, Unit B. Co. 2/238th GSAB. David is a flight engineer instructor, working on and flying CH-47 Chinook Helicopters. The mission of his unit is to transport supplies and troops to various locations in Afghanistan, as well as doing air assaults as needed. Sixty soldiers deployed (including three women) and are hoping to be home for Christmas.

To show our support for their efforts, CWTC is adopting their troop and will be sending care packages every other week and are seeking donations. Some of the most needed and requested items are: beef jerky/Slim Jims, coffee, instant drink mixes, snack bags, gum and hard candy, trail mix, dried fruit, travel size liquid hand sanitizer, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, batteries, DVD Movies, Xbox games, PS2 games, portable CD players/head phones, puzzle books, board games, playing cards, stationery & envelopes, blank cards to send home, pens and mechanical pencils, small battery operated flashlights, air fresheners, and multi-vitamins. A more comprehensive listing can be found at www.give2thetroops.org.

CWTC will be including handmade cards from our consumers in the care packages.   If you would like to join us in supporting David and his troop, please drop items off at our main facility, 3215 N University Street, in Peoria. Monetary contributions to pay the postage are also welcome. Thank you for helping us with this endeavor.