Garden Artwork. Recent activity in our Activities Program could lead to new products available for our customers. The Activities Program, which is a Rockwest in-house retirement program for clients, has been busy producing garden products which they sell to help defray the cost of transporting its clients to activities in the community.

The life-like hand painted concrete artwork they have created ranges from large detailed impressions of leaves (approximately 12" x 20") shaped into a birdbath, to birds, turtles, frogs, and garden stepping stones.

Rockwest is exploring the possibility of community support through local businesses and organizations (like nurseries and garden centers) to display and sell or re-sell these products. Businesses or individuals that would like to make contributions towards supplies for this project or are interested in displaying/selling these items are urged to contact Craig in the Marketing Department at 503-390-7355.

These unique pieces of artwork are a welcome addition to any garden, have a growing market interest and competitive pricing. Pictures of items available, prices, and descriptions will be available on our website in the very near future.

ROCKWEST NEWS

Production: During the past month client employees completed the following types of jobs: Cutting and rolling insulation, Cable tags, Heat Sealing, Packaging, Rivet Packaging, and 8-count Packaging. Training consisted Hygiene, Sign Safety, Independent Living, Review of the Client Handbook, Earth Day Informational Training, Number Writing Skills. Client Employees updated their work area theme by making butterflies, flowers, and lady bugs. Other activities included Bingo, Uno, Checkers, and interaction with animals.

Embroidery/Screen Printing: Renovations!  Plans and work are underway in our embroidery and

screen printing department that will allow Rockwest to speed the process of screen printing customers. A dark room is being built which will allow burning our own screens on site. Rockwest is currently dependent on other businesses and their schedules to provide this service. The dark room and this service is expected to be available sometime this summer.

During this reporting period we completed a large embroidered hat order for UDI, Inc. and screen printed baseball jerseys for Hollywood Tavern.

Industrial Sewing: During this period the following types of jobs were completed: Cutting webbing, cutting velcro, Turn bags, and Bible Totes. Training consisted of a Fire Drill, Training on sewing machines, and how to cut a pattern. Arts & Crafts projects included cutting spring flowers, worked on puzzles', hand embroidery and personal sewing. Two clients went on a field trip to a museum with the Activities Program.

Activities Program: The Activities Program "Spring Sprout Sale" that began earlier this spring is an enormous success!  So successful in fact that Rockwest is considering adding the birdbath, frogs, birds, turtles, bird houses, and steeping stones to our permanent product list. The funds raised will help this active group support itself on field trips and outings into the community. Clients participated in building bird houses, garden stepping stones, leaf bird bath, and hand painted cement birds, frogs, and turtles. They also grew vegetable and flower starts to sell.

During this recent activity period community trips included: Salem Riverfront Carousel, Union Gospel Thrift Store, Egan Gardens, Bowling, Burger King, Delbert Hunter Botanical Garden, Gem Show at Polk County Fairgrounds, Bauman Farms, Scio Fish Hatchery, and Jensen Arctic Museum. Arts and Crafts consisted of Dying Eggs for Easter, Caterpillar Magnets, Butterfly/Bug Headbands, Beaded Pins & Necklaces, Moo Bottles, making Cupcakes, and building a Volcano. Other activities included Bingo, a Birthday Party, Kick Ball, Treasure Hunts, and feeding the squirrels and birds in Bush Park.

For all the latest news on client employee activities, photos, and videos, visit us online at Client Corner.

Business of the month:

February
Assembly/Production: Portland Willamette Division
Custom Embroidery/Screen Printing: Salem Kroc Center
First Aid Supplies: Portland State University
Industrial Sewing: Salem Suburban Fire Department
Janitorial Services: Brim Tractor

March
Assembly/Production: IFI, Inc.
Custom Embroidery/Screen Printing: UDI, Inc.
First Aid Supplies: Oregon Department of Corrections
Industrial Sewing: Steelhead Metal & Fabricators
Janitorial Services: Brim Tractor

April
Assembly/Production: IFI, Inc.
Custom Embroidery/Screen Printing: OR National Guard Youth Challenge
First Aid Supplies: Oregon State Police
Industrial Sewing: Oregon State Police
Janitorial Services: Brim Tractor