Members | About Workshops | Services for Missourians | News
Dignified and meaningful employment
for people with disabilities
Workshop Open House Recognizes Employees, Staff and Board Members
Monroe City Sheltered Workshop celebrated 55 years in business at an Open House on June 29.
The original workshop started in the basement of the old Washington School, moved several times, but now calls their 35,000 square foot building at 701 South East Border home.
Janice Schnitzler of Monroe City who had a son with special needs was recognized for bringing the idea of a Sheltered Workshop to the community back in 1968.
The original board members who had the vision of providing dignified employment for those individuals who needed to improve their self-image and make their lives more meaningful were George Spalding, Walter Hagan, James Johnson, Barbara Quinn, Jim Schnitzler, Walter Quinn, Joe Paul Williams, J.R. Henderson, Juett Kendrick, Bernard Bichsel, and Juanita Yates.
Current board members were introduced: Jina McClintic and Donna Mudd are new this year, Cathy Shockey 2 years, Phil Hays, Vice President, 2 years, Jeff Albus, President, 18 years, Ruth Ann Shaver, Secretary, 25 years. Regina Miskell, Treasurer, 25 years.
Staff was recognized for their lengths of employment: Ellie Jackson, Thrift Store Supervisor, one week; Linda Schafer, bookkeeper and safety coordinator, 2 years; Jeff Blackford, Operations Manager, 23 years; and Connie Thurman, Manager, 38 years.
The important part of the evening was to recognize 33 special employees. “Some days are fun and some days are not, some days are easy and some days are not, but each day is important in their lives and they take pride in their work and the things they accomplish each day here,” Thurman said. “Our employees choose to be at the workshop finding it a safe and enjoyable place to work and also be allowed the time to socialize with their friends that also work here.”