In Gilbert, a company stands out not only for crafting stunning residential windows and doors but for its commitment to breaking the cycle of recidivism. Awake Window & Door Co. is not just a business; it is a beacon of hope, creating innovative products while providing a second chance at life for previously incarcerated individuals.

Founded by industry veterans Scott and Maria Gates, John Engelstad, and Andrew Darr, Awake Window & Door Co. is setting a new standard in fenestration. Their journey started with a dream to engineer state-of-the-art window and door products renowned for design solutions, size capabilities, and minimal frames. However, their vision existed beyond just industry excellence – they aimed to build a company where amazing products are crafted by an employment base primarily composed of formerly incarcerated individuals.

The stark reality that 50% of formerly incarcerated individuals end up back in prison within five years of release served as a catalyst for Awake Window and Door's unique mission.

Written in the “Why Us?” section of Awake Window and Door’s website is another alarming statistic, “In 2008, when the national unemployment rate was at 5%, the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals was 27%.”

Then, the company’s stalwart stance on the employment struggle of the formerly incarcerated demographic: “The discrimination that these individuals experience as they try to re-enter society and gain employment is a complex problem in need of a solution.”

Their goal is to be a part of the solution by offering returning citizens a place to rebuild their lives and skills within the manufacturing industry. This commitment is not just lip service; it is a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by those seeking to reintegrate into society.

Awake Window and Door’s impact is tangible. Gates shared that their support of individuals goes beyond employment. The company invests in the personal and professional growth of its employees. From budgeting programs to a developing peer mentor initiative, the company is committed to ensuring the well-rounded development of its staff, promoting a culture of learning, ownership, and challenge.

For some employees, the help needed goes beyond the typical obligations an employer may have to their employee. Some individuals joining the Awake Window and Door Co. team need help securing housing. Some need assistance with transportation and technology. Others simply need grace and understanding when they struggle with the demands of conforming to the professional work standard of punctuality.

Gates acknowledges the challenges involved in supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. Being a second chance employer requires genuine commitment, involving time, resources, and a tailored approach to address individual needs.

She does not seem phased by the work required of the company’s moral mission though. There is no cringe on their faces as Gates and her Training & Development Coordinator, Joe Mason, speak of the unique struggles their previously incarcerated employees face. Only genuine care and authenticity radiate from their voices.

They have bought in to the mission of the company – and the people whose lives they are changing.

The Awake Window and Door Co.‘s Core Values are: Gratitude, Challenge, Love, Own, Learn.

And if Gates could add one thing that she believes runs through the veins of everything they do at Awake Window and Door Co., and especially for those rebuilding their lives, it is "GRACE.”

“Our ability to love one another (even when it’s hard), challenge someone’s thinking, own our successes and our mistakes and learn from them, comes from having a leadership posture of gratitude, humility, and grace,” Gates said.

Awake Window and Door Co. leadership emphasizes the company’s core values through company lunches, one-on-one employee meetings with managers, employee evaluations, and employee awards; each event designed to offer all employees direct benefits of such positive company values.

“Our team wanted to create a company that not only focused on building high quality windows and doors, but that also created an environment of mutual respect and love that people would actually enjoy being a part of,” Gates said of the planning stages.

Awake Window and Door Co. employees proudly toting logo’d t-shirts and truck stickers outside of work hours seems to be equally as rewarding as millions of dollars in profit annually for Gates.

It is not often that an Awake Window and Door Co. employee contributes negatively to the recidivism percentage, but it has happened. And as a result, Mason’s phone occasionally rings with an employee referral from the girlfriend, mother, sister, or friend of an incarcerated individual who heard of Awake Window and Door Co. from a proud former employee. Even when an employee has hit the end of their road at Awake Window and Door, the story shared of their experience at the company – is enough to inspire others to reach out to the organization.

Not only has the Awake Window and Door team created a culture that current employees enjoy being a part of, but they have also created a brand that speaks for itself and has begun to attract new talent and employees from the general workforce to “the inside.”

The rapid success of the company seems to be a karmic reward affirming the impact Awake Window and Door Co. has had on their community and employees.

Despite all the individual work and effort the company has put into their mission and people, the leadership at Awake Window and Door Co. know they cannot do it all alone. And frankly, they do not want to.

The struggles surrounding mass incarceration and the employment obstacles faced by previously incarcerated individuals require mass-support and societal change.

Awake recognizes the importance of community support and has forged partnerships with non-profit organizations like St. Joseph the Worker, Unhooked Recovery, the Arizona Small Business Association, and Re-Entry by Design. Awake Window and Door also participate in various community events, programs, and initiatives through partnerships with Arouet, St. Joseph the Worker, Re-Entry by Design, and Chief Hill Academy. These collaborations extend beyond mere sponsorships; they provide crucial services and resources to employees, creating a robust support system.

The aim is not just employment but community awareness and education.

Awake Window & Door Co. envisions sustained growth, not just for the business but for its social mission. By providing gainful employment, the company believes it can be a long-term solution to combat recidivism, contributing to healthier individuals, families, and communities.

Awake Window & Door Co. is not merely transforming spaces; it is transforming lives. Amid manufacturing excellence, it stands as a testament to the power of providing opportunities and support to those seeking a second chance. As they continue to grow, Awake Window & Door Co. is leaving an indelible mark on the Arizona community, one window – and window of opportunity -- at a time.