we`re moving! - Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon

Possibilities
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
P.O. Box 430
Redmond, Oregon 97756
PAID
BEND, OR
PERMIT NO. 12
Address Service Requested
Newsletter for Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon
Volume 19
Empowering People of Diverse Abilities.
www.opportunityfound.org
May 2015
WE’RE MOVING!
Make a difference in the life of a
person with a disablility...
Become a Direct Support Professional
or Vocational Aide today!
Contact Administration at 541-548-2611
for available openings.
www.opportunityfound.org
The Opportunity Foundation is deeply
The new Redmond Thrift Store located across from the Big R Store
grateful to the people and businesses
We are excited to announce we are moving our downtown Redmond Thrift Store to our new south Hwy 97 location right
across from the Big R store. Previously the site of Mel’s Tractor, this location will have easy access for customers going both
north and south on Hwy 97.
who help to support
Empowering People of Diverse Abilities
The 14,000 square foot building will provide us with enough space for a large showroom, drop-off site, sorting and storage
area, as well as office space for additional programs. The ample parking lot will provide enough space for 50 vehicles,
including handicapped designated spaces close to the door.
Thank You Supporters!
Trish & Bill Smith Charitable Fund
Landscape Specialties
Deschutes County Commissioners
Jim and Judy Knapp
Deschutes Brewery
Comfort Suites of Redmond
Wayne & Patricia Bowers
Barbara Russell
Brian Connolly
Thanks, Sylvia!
Long-time supporter and Board Member, Sylvia Goedeck, just retired
from our Board after serving over 21 years. During that time she
worked tirelessly on behalf of the individuals we are so privileged to
serve; volunteering, making centerpieces for fundraisers, and rolling up
her sleeves when the hard work had to be done. Sylvia’s passion for our
mission, her unbridled sense of humor, and boundless energy are already
missed by so many. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors
and are grateful for everything she has done for our organization over
these many years!
“It’s time for us to expand,” stated Seth Johnson, Executive Director. “The need for more space and an updated facility was a
must,” he added. “Moving into the larger building will allow us to offer employment and vocational training opportunities
for more people with disabilities, while providing a more pleasurable shopping experience for our customers.”
The store is due to open on July 1, 2015, followed by a Grand Opening Celebration and Picnic planned for the fall. Store
hours will be Monday-Friday 9:30-6:00 and from 9:30-5:00 on Saturdays. We will offer even more quality merchandise at
the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere, and now we’ll have the space to make it easier to find those hidden treasures!
“
Employers have recognized for some time that it’s smart business to have a diverse workforce - one in which
many views are represented and everyone’s talents are valued. Well, disability is part of diversity.
- Thomas Perez -
”
Gerald Flath
Old West Comes to Town
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime resident Gerald Flath on February 21, 2015 at the age of
67. Nobody enjoyed music or dancing more than Gerald and
it was at a dance that he passed away. Gerald came to live with
us in February 1984 from the Eastern Oregon Training Center.
He was always the life of the party and truly enjoyed so many
things. One of Gerald’s favorites was going to the Pendleton
Round-up (or all things to do with cowboys and livestock)
where he was welcomed by so many people over the years. He
also enjoyed karaoke, yard work, and just hanging out in the
sunshine. We miss you G-man!
Irene has always loved anything to do with cowboys, Indians, and the
Old West. She started writing her play about a fictional old western
town with a “Gunsmoke” theme about 6 years ago and just recently
finished the script. Most of the characters have been cast, with coworkers of Irene’s filling the roles of the Sheriff, bank teller, and horse
wranglers just to name a few.
Sets are being built in our wood mill and Irene’s dream is about to
unfold. The first show will take place sometime in August or September,
most likely in our Walt Franks Building. If all goes well, Irene would
like to take her show on the road and we are more than happy to help
make that a reality. We’ll keep you tuned in to the when and the where
you’ll be able to see this production.
Supported Employment
Our Supported Employment Program, which helps people with disabilities find community-based jobs, is one of our
highest priorities. With a major shift in funding at the national and state level and resources being directed to programs
and services that promote integrated employment, sheltered workshops are becoming a thing of the past.
Several initiatives have been introduced that are meant to encourage agencies such as ours to match prospective employees
and employers in jobs that are meaningful; in competitive integrated settings. So, what does that mean? It means jobs in
sheltered workshop-type settings will receive little or no funding to subsidize those employees. Agencies that implement
vocational training programs for people with disabilities which include assessment, training, and job coaching are the new
model. New rules are in place that will encourage the development of such programs with the intention of bringing more
opportunities for community inclusion which are so important in breaking down barriers that separate the disabled from
the non-disabled; building stronger communities in their wake. We are working hard to see that every person that can and
wants to work in community-based jobs has the chance to do just that. If you are interested in hiring well trained, hardworking, punctual and loyal employees, give Lydia Hemsley a call at 541-548-2611 Ext. 7015 for a consultation.
Everyone’s a Star
Many thanks to Steve Chalker for building the stage in our Walt Franks
Building. Steve donated his time and talent in building and installing a
stage as there are many supported persons who love karaoke, storytelling,
and performing comedy routines. Now everyone can be a star as the
stage is wheelchair accessible, framed with rope lighting and equipped
with a microphone. Steve’s daughter, Kristen Polich, works in our Day
Services Program and came up with the idea of a stage after talking to
some of the individuals in that program about their love of performing
and the lack of a place to show off their talents.
New Website and
Video
As part of our 50th anniversary year, the Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon has launched a brand new website.
“We thought this was an important investment to make in order to help the community understand the breadth of the
services we offer to Central Oregonians with intellectual/developmental disabilities,” explains Executive Director Seth
Johnson. “ We have so many programs and services that enrich the lives of the many people we serve that we needed an
updated platform to tell that story.”
The goals of the new website are to give a stronger voice to the people of the Opportunity Foundation, increase the
search engine results and to lay out all of the Opportunity Foundation’s services in a way that makes is easier to see at a
glance. “From our Supported Employment programs, to our thrift stores and our residential supports, we offer an array of
opportunities for people to engage with the community they live in. It’s a lot to talk about in one place!” says Johnson.
“We needed a website that lays it all out in a way that’s easy to explore.”
The Lucky
Winner!
Dawn Rose Ware was the lucky winner of a gift
certificate in our Bend Stores monthly drawing
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Possibilities - May 2015 Newsletter
“Our goal was to make this a clean, easy-to-navigate site to show off the variety of services they offer,” says Becky Boyd of
Tricycle Creative. “With Thistlefish Design handling the graphic design and Watts Web Studio programming, we think
that’s exactly what we accomplished.” Featuring all-new photos and portraits, a newly-completed film from Wahoo Films
and an on-brand, fresh look, the site “truly reflects where the Opportunity Foundation is today, a dynamic, integral,
important place that welcomes people of diverse abilities and gives them a place, a voice,” says Johnson.
Check us out at www.opportunityfound.org and on our new video on YouTube
or Facebook at www.facebook.com/OpportunityFoundation
Possibilities - May 2015 Newsletter
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