Opportunity Partners

Vocational/employment services: founded in 1953 by visionary parents who wanted a better life for their teenage children with disabilities, Opportunity Partners has always focused on the abilities of people. At a time when many people with disabilities were institutionalized, the organization provided a place where people could learn job skills and experience the sense of pride that comes from earning a paycheck. In 1959, Opportunity Partners became the first service provider in the twin cities to support people with disabilities to find jobs with employers in the community. In 2022, Opportunity Partners served 1035 people with disabilities at dozens of job sites, residences and community settings throughout the 10-county twin cities metropolitan area. Opportunity Partners provides support to a wide range of individuals - from young adults with cerebral palsy to adults recovering from brain injury due to a stroke to seniors with down syndrome. No matter what the challenge, our services help people with disabilities to lead more rewarding and meaningful lives. Opportunity Partners provides enrichment opportunities to help people acquire skills for community participation including how to manage a budget, shop for and cook healthy meals, and register to vote. Employment services offer span a full spectrum of supports to help people explore the world of work and reach their employment goals. Participants gain experience, earn an income, and have their contributions valued at Opportunity Partners and at other businesses throughout the community. 2022 employment milestones: -660 people were supported in employment services, broken out as follows:66 people working on supported employment teams209 people working at our production centers250 people working jobs in community businesses, and 135 people seeking new jobs -average wage for people working competitive jobs: $14.43/hour Opportunity Partners is accredited through carf international, the commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities. During its last accrediting period (2020), Opportunity Partners was reaccredited for a period of three years for its community employment and employment planning services. The latest accreditation was the ninth consecutive three-year accreditation that the international accrediting body has awarded to Opportunity Partners. This represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows a substantial conformance to the carf standards. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and demonstrates to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

Residential services: Opportunity Partners began offering residential services to people with disabilities in the early 1970s, assisting people to live as independently as possible while providing staff support as needed. Today, Opportunity Partners offers a continuum of residential services, ranging from group homes (which provide the highest level of support) to in-home services (which support people in their own homes). Satisfaction surveys and licensing reviews promote Opportunity Partners' attention to quality in services and property management. In 2022, the organization provided residential services to 271 people with disabilities 167 were people in their own homes, 27 in our supported apartment program (homebase) and another 77 people received 24-hour staff support in one of Opportunity Partners' 20 group homes. Donors and volunteers Opportunity Partners has the support of more than 600 donors and 100 volunteers, including corporate groups and individuals who help with yard work, interior projects, special events and social activities with persons served.