Florence, KY — After more than 52 years of serving the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region, BAWAC is proud to announce a bold new chapter in its history with the launch of a new name: Proudworks. The rebranding was unveiled during a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 29, 2025, which also marked the grand opening of the organization’s newly renovated Training & Convening Center.
The celebration included remarks from Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon, Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore, Board Chair Bob Smith, and representatives from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Staff, clients, and supporters joined together to honor the organization’s legacy while looking toward its expanded future.
Alongside the unveiling, Proudworks introduced a redesigned website, updated social media platforms, a refreshed digital newsletter, and an introductory video narrated by Proudworks clients—underscoring the organization’s commitment to uplifting the voices of those it serves.
Building on a Strong Legacy
Founded in 1973 as the Boone Adult Work Activity Center (BAWAC) under the leadership of Ken Schmidt, the organization has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. While the BAWAC name carried deep history, community feedback revealed it was often misunderstood or did not fully represent the expanded services across several counties.
The name Proudworks better reflects the dignity, impact, and expanded scope of today’s organization, which serves multiple counties and offers a broad range of programs.
“I am excited about this milestone in our organization, said Bob Smith, Board Chair for Proudworks. This rebranding is about protecting the organization’s legacy and carrying us into the future to help ensure we continue to meet the increasing needs of our community.” In addition to his volunteerism and leadership service to Proudworks, Mr. Smith’s daughter is also a client in the organization’s work training program.
“Our new name honors the legacy of BAWAC while giving us room to grow,” said Jason Ashbrook, President & CEO of Proudworks. “We’re grateful to our community for the support and feedback we’ve received on both the rebranding and renovations. We’re also thankful to our amazing staff and dedicated clients for their support and resilience! These updates will build upon the vision established by Ken Schmidt and help support a strong future.”
Facility Renovations
As part of this milestone, Proudworks also unveiled renovations at its Florence headquarters, including:
• A modernized Training & Convening Center
• Enhancements to client program spaces
• Updated restrooms and accessibility improvements
These upgrades were made possible through capital grants from the Boone County Fiscal Court and the R.C. Durr Foundation as well as the generosity of private donors.
About Proudworks
Established in 1973 as the Boone Adult Work Activity Center (BAWAC), Proudworks is a nonprofit organization that transforms barriers into opportunities for individuals with disabilities, or other challenges, by empowering them with services to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. This mission is accomplished through job training, community employment, production and industrial support, aging and life transition services, and transportation.
In FY 2024, the organization served 420 individuals and 87 businesses across 11 counties. Its impact included:
• Packaging and sorting over 5 million items for local companies
• Traveling more than 820,000 miles to provide transportation to/from work, day programs, and medical appointments
• Providing over 120,000 hours of job training, education, and community-based programming
For more information, visit www.Proudworks.org
President/CEO
