Black River Industries

Black River Industries served a record number of individuals in 2023. We served 160 people in a variety of different programs. We provided services in Taylor, Price, and Clark County. Our programs consist of Vocational Services, Day Services/Community Integration, Residential, Supported Employment, Supervised Visits, Parent Education, and Transportation. We had 78 individuals utilize our transportation for work services or community needs. We worked with 32 individuals for supported employment regarding job development and placement, job coaching, resume building, and ongoing support. BRI provided 32 individuals services in our Day Services/Community Integration program. This program provides meaningful experiences to enhance your quality of life. These are activities that take place both at BRI and in the community. This also includes our summer youth program that was provided in the summer for ages 14-21-year-olds. We provided services for 74 individuals in our residential program. These services promote independence and safe living skills. We provided 2 parents with parent education and 17 individuals for supervised visitation. In the year of 2023, BRI employed 126 employees.

Food Services provides a commercial kitchen experience for individuals with disabilities in preparation for community employment. We prepare nutritional meals under contract with the Taylor County Commission on Aging at two Senior Centers in the county, as well as for members of BRI. In 2023 we prepared approximately 6,700 meals to over 500 seniors. We provided approximately 3,700 hot lunches to clients and staff; and approximately 300 catered meals to local businesses and civic organizations. BRI also catered meals to 400 seniors for the annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair.

Work services create opportunities for the people we serve and our staff to work together learning new skills and producing quality products for our communities. BRI contracted with nine local factories and three state of Wisconsin departments to employ 36 people with disabilities and 29 community staff in assembly, packaging, collating, commercial sewing, dry goods packaging, and confidential document shredding jobs. BRI also contracts to maintain five rest areas in Taylor and Rusk counties employing 6 people during the summer months. Another crew of 4 people operate BRI's commercial and residential lawn services. And an additional crew of 4 people maintain the two National Guard Armory locations. BRI is committed to providing an array of skill building jobs that encourage people with disabilities and community staff to excel.

BRI's Food Services Industries component has been providing meals for seniors and children since 1981. Food Services provides commercial kitchen experience for individuals with disabilities in preparation for community employment. The majority of meals were provided under contract with the Taylor County Commission on Aging at two Senior Centers in the county, as well as the Meals-on-Wheels Program. In addition, our passenger routes for the elderly and persons with disabilities routinely deliver meals to many homebound seniors in outlying areas who would not otherwise be able to access the congregate meal sites.