Our Stories
Amazing things are happening everyday at Northwest Center - we model our values and put inclusion and diversity into action. The results we've witnessed are simply amazing and we're thrilled to share these stories with you! If you have a story about your experience with Northwest Center, and you would like to tell it, please share it with us! It may be featured on our website or in one of our quarterly newsletters. Just fill out our story submission form.
Our Mission in Action: Chris's Story
At 7 a.m. while sleepy West Seattleites enjoy their weekend reprieve, Northwest Center’s Chris is packing his lunch for the full day ahead of him. The newest addition to the West Seattle “Big Blue Truck” donation station team, Chris sees his work as a way to give back to his community. Read more...
The Gebhardt Family Story
Northwest Center really opened our eyes to the possibilities of what life could be like for our daughter—they made us realize her potential. In addition to working with our daughter, they gave us (her parents) many tools and showed us ways to help her progress, help us communicate with her our – things that we may have not realized before. Read more...
A Job for Jason
Jason is a valuable member and the newest employee of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Renton, WA where he supports the office by organizing new member packets, filing and organizing information, and helping to keep the office tidy. It is a job Jason enjoys, and it is a job that just a few months ago seemed out of reach. Read more...
Proud to Welcome You: Preston
Getting a job when you’re a teenager isn’t the same as it used to be. We all remember that helpful next door neighbor, well connected family friend or local business owner down the street who used to be a reliable source for that all-important first job (and even more important, first paycheck). Read more...
Jackson Federal Building: Debbie
Last week I met Debbie, who supervises the janitorial teams at a number of facilities in downtown Seattle including everything from historic office buildings to modern skyscrapers housing an array of government agencies and officials — an imposing stretch of real estate and a huge responsibility. Read more...
School to Work: Erika's Job at Value Village
Erika began participating in Northwest Center’s School 2 Work program in late June of this year. In that short period of time she has made absolutely extraordinary progress in her search for community employment. From the start, Erika demonstrated an eagerness to work that is hard to ignore. She is an employer’s dream come true; Erika is bi-lingual, dedicated, polite, enthusiastic , independent and most of all, she WANTS TO WORK. Read more...
Without Filters: Michelle
On Thursday I took two business colleagues on a tour of our manufacturing facilities. When we finally reached Michelle’s workstation she wanted to show off her new teeth and tell us about the whole process of her recent oral surgery. “Money,” she explained, getting immediately to the heart of the matter. “Shot,” she added, gesturing to her gums as if clarifying a great mystery. Then she wanted to know what I was doing for Thanksgiving. Read more...
Sign 2 Me: Tracy
As part of our Customized Employment Training Program, clients are provided Employment Readiness Training at one of our many Northwest Center owned and operated businesses. Tracy previously worked in our Assembly & Packaging facility, located at our South Park campus as part of her Employment Readiness training. While employed in the warehouse, Tracy learned many skills that eventually lead to a successful job placement. Read more...
Margaret Loves Her Job!
One thing you should know about Margaret is that she loves working at Northwest Center. A long time member of the family, Margaret has worked in a variety of positions; most recently she was offered a position at our custom magnet manufacturing business, Electronetics, where she pre-assembles the components used to produce Electrical Transformers and Inductors. Read more...