April 9, 2007

DOC’s Partnership with Wheelchair Recycling Program Receives National Award Recognition

MADISON – The Department of Corrections' partnership with the Madison-based Wheelchair Recycling Program (WRP) has earned national recognition by the Mutual of America Foundation, which recently recognized the program for its 2006 Community Partnership Award.

“The Wheelchair Recycling Program provides an important service in the community by helping thousands of disabled Wisconsin residents afford wheelchairs and other medical equipment,” Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Matt Frank said. “The partnership between DOC and WRP also provides meaningful work experience for participating inmates, who refurbish the pieces that are donated."

WRP executive director Tom Kenney added: “The exceptional work done by these inmates has helped the program distribute more than 1,000 pieces of equipment in 2006 alone, from power wheelchairs, to walkers.”

Since 1988, the non-profit WRP has overseen the collection, repair, refurbishment and redistribution of medical equipment to low-income people with disabilities in Wisconsin. The equipment is donated by numerous sources, varying from individuals to private medical equipment stores, and includes returned items, over stocks, damaged merchandise and parts. People who can’t afford new equipment can buy the refurbished equipment directly from WRP at reduced prices, with a small percentage made available at no charge to homeless individuals.

The WRP's partnership with the DOC dates back to 2001, when the DOC Badger State Industries opened the first wheelchair recycling and repair workshop at Redgranite Correctional Institution. Participating inmates clean and rebuild the medical equipment at no cost to WRP. Another wheelchair recycling workshop exists at Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution. In addition, the DOC's Bureau of Correctional Enterprises and Independent Living Centers of Wisconsin collect the equipment from the prisons and deliver it to WRP in Madison for distribution.

Starting in 1996, Mutual of America Life Insurance Company has given out Community Partnership Awards annually to recognize the work of nonprofit organizations in partnership with public, private and other organizations. Each year the Mutual of America Foundation picks 10 partnerships from a pool of hundreds of applicants for award recognition. This year the partnership between the DOC and the WRP was chosen for its exceptional work to provide thousands of pieces of durable, refurbished medical equipment to people with disabilities, while keeping waste out of landfills and providing work for prison inmates.

Last month, members of the DOC and WRP celebrated the Community Partnership Award recognition in Milwaukee at a luncheon attended by city and county leaders.

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