Western North Carolina communities have a long history of supporting their residents. Those in close-knit small towns relied on each other for generations, and today, many of the area’s nonprofit organizations are continuing this tradition.

Despite the workforce shortage in the WNC region and beyond, there are individuals in the community who are challenged to find work due to having various disabilities or other barriers to employment. Transylvania Vocational Services is one of the area’s nonprofit organizations that supports these individuals by helping individuals find potential job placement through specific training and education programs, offering residential housing, and providing employment through their own manufacturing facility, according to TVS’ Marketing Research Analyst Jenifer Welch.

TVS began in 1967 as a “sheltered workshop” to help disabled individuals gain employment. The organization worked with DuPont from the late 1970s to 2000, the year the DuPont factory closed. Previous TVS CEO Nancy Stricker and COO Becky Alderman, both retired yet still involved with TVS, looked for ways to keep these individuals employed, and were able to secure a government contract to produce instant nonfat dry milk.

In addition to dry milk, TVS manufactures bakery mixes for commercial as well as government entities like the US Department of Agriculture. They also produce Super Cereal - a product intended for malnourished children up to two years of age that is distributed globally. Products made in their Transylvania County facility make their way to children living in food insecure areas around the world, to military troops in the US and abroad, and to about 300 food banks across the country.

Currently employing more than 150 people and working to hire more, about half the facility’s employees come from challenged backgrounds.

“To meet product need, about 75% of the individuals that work on those contracts have documented disabilities,” Welch said. “Company-wide, it’s about 40%. People need good jobs, and we have a great model to offer that.” 

The manufacturing portion of TVS helps fund support programs for disabled individuals in the community. Day programs provide life skills, interaction opportunities, and caregiver respite.

These programs help participants to continue as active members of the community, as many of them have part-time jobs, regularly volunteer, create art, or take courses at Blue Ridge Community College. TVS operates two group homes with the help of direct support professionals who assist residents with activities of daily living, allowing them to live as independently as possible. 

Area high school students are also supported through pre-employment transition specialists who help students in three counties determine their path after graduation. There are also employment services that help individuals in the community find jobs. Some find work at TVS, and others are able to work at locations throughout the community. 

“We help people find jobs wherever they want to work,” Welch said. “We have individuals supported by various employers in the surrounding areas. We work with them to find what they would like to do, then find a similar career in the area they can do and be successful at.” 

Participants also receive help in finding volunteer opportunities. These individuals volunteer at other nonprofit organizations like the Transylvania Habitat for Humanity Restore or the Transylvania County Sharing House. Some help the local Meals on Wheels program, county library, or Rotary Club.

Advocacy for government policies affecting the area’s disabled population is another value this nonprofit brings to the community. Traveling to regional, state, and federal offices, staying up-to- date on policies that would affect Medicaid or other disability rights helps ensure these individuals and the programs that support them are able to continue to thrive.

Although public funding contributes to TVS, a substantial share of the necessary funds come from the manufacturing facility. The positive impact of this model reaches far beyond individuals with disabilities. Local nonprofits, schools, businesses, food pantries, military members, and malnourished children globally all benefit from the mission of this Transylvania County organization. A 2021 research study showed a total economic impact of $27,173,720, but the value of its ripple effects paired with the enhanced well-being for participants is immeasurable.