Established in 1971, The Coastal Workshop is a private, nonprofit corporation governed by a local Board of Directors.

The mission of The Coastal Workshop is to assist adults with mental retardation to become participating members of their social and economic community.

Two hundred fifteen adults with mental retardation receive day and/or residential services annually. The Coastal Workshop employs 118 staff and owns or operates nine sites to support individuals in residential and day programs. Our primary service area is Knox County.

The Coastal Workshop provides services to 91 adults in our day and employment program. Program participants have a variety of choices for paid work—depending on their ability and the supervision available to assist them. Participants work on cleaning, grounds maintenance, woodworking, basketmaking, weaving, bulk mailings, Fine Arts Packing, and bottle sorting at the Coastal Redemption Center. Bulk mailings comprise most of our paid work, employing 20 people annually.

Individuals volunteer services for Meals on Wheels, Tanglewood 4-H Camp, The Food Closet, Shore Village Nursing Home, Windward Gardens, The Humane Society of Knox County, Camden Rockport Animal Rescue League, Owls Head Transportation Museum, and Merryspring Park.