2016 – Current Day
It is now 2016 and we have 5 training programs for individuals with challenging abilities. KIN Enterprises has nearly 200 employees and 60 staff members and we look forward to new and exciting activities on a daily basis.
2013 – Sage Program
In the year 2013, we opened up the Sage Program, a program for individuals entering retirement that need additional support. This program focuses on cognitive activities, sensory activities, recreational activities and physical activities.
2011 – Award Winning
We were delighted to win the Samuel McLeod Business Award in the Environment category!
Early 2000’S
The 2000s was the closing of Weyerhaeuser- hit KIN Enterprises like a ton of bricks as we had a valuable contract with them to build pallets since 1989 and we wondered how we would survive this economic loss. We had already purchased a new building located on 40 th street east and now housed our Light Assembly, Day Program and the Starlight Restaurant. Over the next few years, we, again, learned to diversify and began the recovery process from the loss of revenue following the closure of the Weyerhauser.
1990 – Trip To Disneyland
For KIN, the highlight of the 90s was a trip to California and Disneyland, which was enjoyed by 35 employees. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for many to travel and leave their work behind.
1989 – More Work Needed
An evening shift became necessary to achieve production goals and in 1989 we celebrated 25 years of successful operations with 175 employees in attendance.
1980 – New programs, people & equipment
By now, in the 80s, KIN had 136 employees and started the contract with Meals on Wheels. We bought Tillie’s Restaurant and the Starlight Restaurant was born! North Park Center closed and the Day Program was developed to accommodate people who had been displaced by this event. The Marjorie Wettergreen Center (named after a woman who was highly influential in the world of special needs) opened to house the Light Assembly and Activity Center employees and the need to purchase vans and trucks and equipment in order to meet our contracts of kept us hopping.
1975 – Business is booming
By the middle of the 70s, KIN Enterprises employed over 80 employees and contracts continued to roll in. We picked rocks and roots, hauled bales, grew gardens and picked potatoes. We built camp stools by the thousands and air drillers, brad nailers and drill presses became just a normal tool for our work day. As our work grew, we recognized the need to expand our programs and our building. An Activity Program was established for individuals with more difficult challenges and our building had changed from a church basement to a 16,000 square foot independently owned and operated facility on 15 th Avenue East, where it continues to operate, in part, today.
1964 – Kin Enterprises is born
KIN, then known as the Prince Albert Workshop, opened in the basement of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1964 and was attended by 9 employees for 2 days a week, staffed by volunteers. Within the first few years, we grew from 9 to 45 employees and moved 4 times, eventually becoming incorporated as the Prince Albert Community Workshop Society. Our contract work began, which included manufacturing lawn furniture, hockey nets, wedding car decorations and performing other contract tasks earned us a total income of just over $5000.00!