Opportunity for Work and Learning (OWL) was created in 1961 as a workshop for individuals with severe disabilities. Over the years, we broadened our focus to community-based employment services and expanded our programming to include individuals with all types of factors affecting their ability to obtain and maintain employment. These factors include physical disabilities, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, socio-economic barriers, and those who are justice system involved. OWL impact lives and strengthen communities by building a supported, inclusive, and sustainable workforce. We discover our qualified job seekers’ strengths, develop their skills, and connect them to integrated employers. We also connect our participants with the vital, ongoing, wrap-around support services needed for successful employment. Our individualized approach to service delivery allows us to tailor our programming and supports for each participant maximizing potential effectiveness for all we serve. OWL offers a variety of services geared toward helping people obtain and maintain long-term successful employment. Services such as vocational assessments and evaluations, job preparation and work adjustments allow us to discover our participants’ strengths and work with each individual to develop a plan for them to enter the workforce. We provide Independent living and life skills support, workplace essential skills training, work experiences and accredited certifications for forklift operation and customer service to help our participants develop their skills preparing them for success. We also provide job search assistance, job placement, job coaching, and supported employment services assuring we help connect our participants to the right jobs and necessary supports to retain them.
