WORKSHEET

The Washburn County Day Development Center (name changed to Ventures Unlimited, Inc., July 1987) was established in April 1969 by a group of concerned parents and citizens wanting to provide activities for their children with disabilities. The center was housed in the basement of a community church and clients participated in activities such as coloring and crafts.

1983 marked the year that the program moved into a building in Spooner and clients began vocational training and activities programming.

Ventures recognized a need for a re-sale Thrift Shoppe in the community, so in 1990 Ventures opened the Unique Boutique. The site has provided valuable work for people with disabilities as well as provide a place for individuals to buy quality clothing at a reasonable price.

Due to the growth of Ventures, in 1990 the Day Services program moved to the Shell Lake Industrial Park while the vocational activities continued in Spooner. In 1996 the entire group moved to the Industrial Park in Shell Lake.

In 1998, a nearly 10,000 square foot building was built.  Ventures moved in and we still occupy this building today.

In 2000, Ventures purchased a business, Just for the Birds. With the purchase of this business, Ventures consumers have been busy making suet balls, bird feeders, and packaging bird seed as well. All the proceeds from the Just for the Birds business benefit people with disabilities.

In 2002, Ventures expanded services to residents in Sawyer County. March 2003 marked the opening of their new facility located in the city limits of Hayward.

Hayward opened a Thrift Shoppe in 2006 and Ventures also began providing placement services in Rice Lake.

In 2007, Ventures expanded services in Rice Lake from a Vocational program to include a Day Services program geared towards individuals with severe disabilities.

In 2011, Ventures purchased The Celebration Station in Cameron and relocated their Rice Lake facility beginning January 3, 2012.

Throughout the past forty-five years, Ventures services and programming has evolved to what they are today – from coloring books and crayons in church basements to work and community integration in three facilities of their own serving over 175 consumers with developmental disabilities.