By Toni Rocha
For StatelineBusiness

ROCKFORD -- For a small but determined workforce at RoseTech Industries, L.L.C., today is more than just another workday. It is the chance to change their lives and their futures.

RoseTech is an affiliate of Rosecrance Health Network, a substance abuse treatment center in Rockford. RoseTech was established in 1999 with a twofold purpose. First, the agency trains adults who have completed rehabilitation programs to reconnect with the working world.

And second, RoseTech provides contracted outsource services to industries throughout the Stateline Area.

"RoseTech is an integral part of our treatment program," said Lynn Vass, senior vice president of development. "We know that in order to prevent relapse, people need a safe place to live and a job. Most of our adult clients are fortunate in that they have what is needed, but a small percent of them don't."

Vass added that, in the late 1990s, Rosecrance recognized a need, particularly for women, to have the opportunity to experience real life work, develop skills and build their self-confidence.

"Too often, these people have never worked even through they are bright, capable and willing to do so," Vass said. "Because of addictions or other issues, they have never been able to either find or maintain a job."

Some of these women may have dropped out of school because of pregnancy, compounding the problem by not completing their education, Vass added. Others come from generations that have lived on welfare and therefore have not had the benefit of working role models to teach them.

"Our mission is to help them become better parents, spouses and employees," Vass said. "This lowers to cost to society as a whole by reducing violence, substance abuse, court costs, child neglect and healthcare costs."

Rosecrance underwrites the cost of operating RoseTech because it knows training people to become productive, contributing members of the community is the tipping point to a better environment, Vass concluded.

In RoseTech, Rosecrance's double initiatives continue to find fresh corporate support in the Stateline Area.

"My function as business development manager is to recruit business and industry by spreading the word on how RoseTech can meet their needs in a way that saves them the cost of hiring, training and paying benefits," Tim Leaf said. "At the same time, the more contracts we sign, the more Rosecrance clients we can help return to the community as productive members."

At any time, between 15 and 20 adults ages 19 and older work in the 12,000-square-foot RoseTech facility at 5279 28th Ave. in Rockford's Eastrock Industrial Park. Originally, RoseTech workers die cut cardboard display units but now contracted jobs include packaging and repackaging, assembly, parts sorting, labeling, visual inspection and mailing services.

RoseTech can also store materials, opening up space at the clients' facilities, as well as deliver finished orders. Darrell Palmer, an on-staff production supervisor, makes certain that work progresses smoothly through the system in a timely manner.

"Rosecrance determined that one of the biggest challenges facing their rehabbed adults is finding and maintaining jobs," Leaf added. "What RoseTech does is help them build a work history."

At the same time, job readiness coordinator Eric Brasel helps RoseTech workers learn to balance work and life demands such as time management, attendance and promptness, hands-on training, daycare when needed, efficiency, consistency and essential skills such as how to fill out job applications, handle interviews and write resumes.

"Normally, a worker stays with us for three to six months, but if he or she finds a job while here we are very happy," Leaf said. "We have had more than 2,000 go through RoseTech, and have found jobs for more than 250 of them. RoseTech really helps change their lives and at the same time provide cost-effective services in a timely manner."