Jackson County Chamber of Commerce members received a special tour of JCDC Woodworks in Ravenswood during their holiday business after hours event last month. (Photo Provided)

RAVENSWOOD — Jackson County Development Center Woodworks in Ravenswood hosted the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce for its holiday business after hours event last month.

Chamber members got a backstage tour of what goes on at JCDC Woodworks, a non-profit company that focuses on “providing life skills and employment opportunities to people with disabilities,” according to its website.

Newly opened in August, JCDC Woodworks specializes in hand crafted living edge furniture, a style that incorporates the natural edge of the wood into the piece.

According to Melanie Mossor, executive director for the Chamber, Woodworks offers “unique items including dining room, coffee and end tables to intricately designed West Virginia wall hangings, clocks, cutting boards and serving trays,”she said.

Furniture from Frontier Furniture and Flooring is on display in the showroom, Mossor said.

Gabe Moales does a demonstration for Chamber members at the JCDC Woodworks in Ravenswood. (Photo Provided)

JCDC was first formed in 1979 “when a group of citizens realized the need to address the vocational challenges individuals with disabilities faced in Jackson County,” Mossor said.

It started with six individuals meeting twice a week in a local church. After 40 years, the organization has greatly expanded.

“The Center is an integrated work facility which employs individuals with and without disabilities servicing the recycling business, manufacturing of cleaning cloths, data management projects, a telephone contact center, and now a woodworking center,” Mossor said.