New Lenox-based Trinity Services is changing with the times by converting a former warehouse into a recording studio and space for other activities.
Since 1950, the nonprofit agency has served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health needs. Trinity provides residential services, day programs, employment opportunities and other programs.
“We have 100 group homes,” said Thane Dykstra, president and CEO. Dykstra became CEO after his father, Art Dykstra, retired in late 2017.
We spoke Wednesday night during an open house at Studio 22. The 10,000-square-foot building is located in a business park in the 1800 block of Ferro Drive, near Providence Catholic High School.
“The original space here was for manufacturing,” Dykstra said. “We created our own line of cleaning supplies because many people with intellectual disabilities accidentally poison themselves.”
Years ago, Trinity developed SafeNow to stock in its group homes.
“You can go in our homes and see our product and not worry about poisoning,” Dykstra said. “Our program participants actually were paid to bottle and label our product.”
A couple decades ago, manufacturing programs were considered beneficial and productive opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Times and philosophies change, though.
Nowadays, clients are less likely to work together in a large group at a manufacturing facility and more likely to work individually or in small teams at grocery stores, restaurants and other places.
“There’s been a shift at the national policy level to do away with segregated employment,” Dykstra said. “We wanted to get away from that and convert our warehouse space to this kind of program space that affords itself to do more things in the community.”
Studio 22 is the result, and it’s an amazing reuse of a former warehouse and manufacturing space. It’s not quite completely finished, but Trinity invited guests to check it out during an event presented by the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce.
Hosts for the evening included Trinity’s chief operating officer Tina Fogarty, chief financial officer Bob Taylor and director of administrative operations Ray Carmody. New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann and others visited.
Like many employers, Trinity is struggling to fill its ranks at the moment. An ad on its website offers a $1,000 signing bonus for people to work as independent living coaches.
The past five years have been rough for Trinity and other social service agencies in Illinois. They’ve had to contend with the effects of the pandemic the past two years. Before that, the two-year budget impasse under former Gov. Bruce Rauner deprived agencies of funding for services they had already provided.
Trinity serves more than 5,500 people annually. The agency reported 2020 revenues of $63 million and expenses of $59.5 million, according to its annual report.
Lawmakers have debated funding for social service agencies. Like education, most costs are for personnel. In December, a union raised awareness about how the median wage for direct support personnel who work in group homes was $12.04 an hour, barely above minimum wage.
The dilemma is that to raise wages, agencies would need increased funding from the state, which relies on taxpayers for its revenue.
Trinity representatives said state Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort, helped secure a $200,000 state grant that covered about half the cost of renovating the Ferro Drive facility.
Instead of bottling dish soap and laundry detergent in the space, Trinity clients will play musical instruments, tend hydroponic plants, learn how to make soda pop and engage in other therapeutic activities.
“We have room out back to do outdoor gardening,” said Kevin Krause, program coordinator.
In addition to working for Trinity, Krauss plays keyboards and drums and sings. He cofounded the New Orleans-themed band The Big Lagniappe, which has performed throughout the Southland and beyond.
A musical connection with a local venue influenced how Trinity remodeled its space. A brewer from Blue Island Beer Company advised how a kitchen space should be designed to brew soda.
Krauss will put his musical talents to good use as Trinity adapts to changes in serving people with disabilities.
“A lot of the programs we do here will be based around music,” he said.
Trinity may offer clients yoga and other activities in the space, Dykstra said. The large, open area may also be used for community events, he said. Visitors ought to appreciate how the former manufacturing facility was converted into a beautiful activity space.
“It’s a complete transformation,” Dykstra said.
Ted Slowik is a columnist at the Daily Southtown.
