OUR MISSION

Opportunity Works Connecticut, Inc. (OWC) is a non-profit agency that supports people with intellectual and physical disabilities in Eastern Connecticut. We are committed to providing the best individualized supports to assist everyone to find meaningful vocational activities and/or gainful employment opportunities that fit with their personal goals.  We work together to foster a sense of respect and dignity which enables our participants to work and live with quality of life.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

Helping individuals with disabilities fill wholesome roles in their communities.

OUR EQUITY STATEMENT

Everyone is welcome. Diversity. Inclusion.
They are the hard-and-fast principles guiding how we build our teams and cultivate our leaders. Through inclusion we are building a culture where differences are valued. We strive to build & nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex not an initiative and where everyone can bring
their full, authentic selves to work.

OUR HISTORY

Our original Goal: To offer more quality work choices to individuals with higher ability levels

November 2009: founded OWC by Bill Paluska and Rene Lambert

December 2009: Incorporated & Non-profit status

2010: Business Plan Developed

Jan 2011: DDS Vendorship obtained

May 2011: Doors open with our first 2 individuals (GSE/IND) in 3800sqft

Nov 2011: DSO opened with 1 individual (additional 600sqft)

March 2013: received DDS vendorship for ISE (Individual Supported Employment)

August 2014: Moved to Vernon 12,000sqft supporting 50 Individuals/ opened a retail store

March 2015: purchased the “Books Are Fun” business

March 2015: Added a day program that we run out of a state group home in Ellington +4 Individuals

January 2016: added vendorship for HIS (In-home Supports)

July 2016: added “senior supports” and “pre-vocational” as 2 new DDS vendorships

August 2016:  Added 15,000sqft more of the same building to open our Vocational training program.  This program provides training to individuals in a variety of areas to include: Food service with servsafe certification, CPR, office training, skills to secure a job in the community, hospitality/cleaning, job safety, task box training, and floral design. This new space also houses additional offices, a music room, exercise room and a Pet Therapy area.

November 2016:  Open our Vocation Training DOS program

March 2017:  Purchased new building on 45 West Main Street, Vernon CT

July 2017:  Closed Senior Supports In-House Day Program

July 2017:  Became a member of the RDA (Rockville Downtown Association) member

May 2018: Awarded the Dempsey Florist Shop GSE shop

July 2018: Obtained the Horticulture Center at Camp Quinebaug, Danielson, CT

May 2019: Our cafe, Lunch @ OWC, opened at the Rockville Courthouse

May 2019: Opportunities for Older Adults (OOA) program launch

OUR FUTURE: 

2021-2022: 

• OWC is starting a transformation process. We have received approval & support from the Department of Developmental Services to move forward to transform our agency to meet the employment first initiative in CT. This involves changing some of our business models, changing the way we provide supports but ultimately will catapult us into engaging individuals in community-based, real work for real pay employment. This transformation will also include added programs to assist our individuals to overcome the barriers that they currently face getting a job in their neighborhoods. Common broad barriers include but are not limited to: transportation, reading, writing and money skills. We look forward to working with our individuals and their teams to provide creative and innovative transitional services that support their career goals.

• Continued fundraising for state of the art sensory room