Our History
How We Started
When We Set Up Our Roots
When We Set Up Our Roots
In the 1950's, there was no place for parents to find education and work experiences for their children with disabilities of DeKalb County.
When We Set Up Our Roots
When We Set Up Our Roots
When We Set Up Our Roots
Parents started a school for disabled children with the help of people in the community. By 1957, the DCARC had 9 students and, within 2 years, had grown to 25 students. Additional space became necessary.
How We Evolved
When We Set Up Our Roots
How We Got Where We Are Today
In 1963, the community had raised the funds to fill another need, and that was giving each individual hands-on work experience. It was through this that Wee Haven Workshop was formed.
How We Got Where We Are Today
How We Got Where We Are Today
How We Got Where We Are Today
Over the years, the need for the school declined as public schools began accepting disabled children into their special education classes. In 1997, with our continued growth through the focus on workforce development, another expansion became apparent. In August of that year, building expansion and renovation was completed, and the employees chose our new name, Alliance Industries.
What We Do Today
How We Got Where We Are Today
What We Do Today
Alliance Industries’ mission is to provide job training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Northeast Indiana. This initiative is designed to create lasting opportunities.
Alliance Industries offers full- and part-time, meaningful employment to forty-seven individuals with disabilities, ages 18 to 60+. We specialize in hand packaging work and light subassembly kits for area manufacturing companies like Rieke Corporation, Fastenal, Dekko, SCP Limited, ZF Active Safety US, Inc., and Eaton. We offer a safe, needs-based work environment and assign tasks that match the employees' skill sets.
We believe in promoting employee independence through earning a wage. This approach helps our employees see their value and promotes positive self-esteem, purpose, and fulfillment by enriching their life skills with meaningful and sustainable relationships within a boundary of security.
Alliance Industries, the 2021 Duesy Awards Non-Profit of the Year
Our Team
Executive Director
Our staff is a vital part of our job skills training.
Our staff is a vital part of our job skills training.
Erin Potter
Erin is incredibly passionate about the quality of life for our employees.
Our staff is a vital part of our job skills training.
Our staff is a vital part of our job skills training.
Our staff is a vital part of our job skills training.
Staff Members:
Beth Jehl
Lorenza Mendez
Kayla Hamilton
Lindsay Diederich
Board of Directors
Our staff is a vital part of our job skills training.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is essential in establishing policies and in fundraising.
Officers:
Marianne Stanley- President
Eugene Fuhrer- Vice President
Kari Minch- Secretary
Jennifer Kuder- Treasurer
Directors:
Leta Hullinger
Bridget Ortiz
Mark Benbow
Marcus Wagner
Dana Hedrick
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
