Rouge Valley Voices: LIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Author: Blaine Lindsey, Business and Donor Relations
Hello, Jacksonville and Rogue Valley community members! Living Opportunities is honored to represent ourselves in this wonderful newsletter. We are a nonprofit organization that has operated in Jackson County since 1974, celebrating our 50th anniversary last August!
As one of the largest service providers to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Southern Oregon, we meet basic needs and provide services to hundreds of individuals of all ages. Developmental disabilities include intellectual impairment, autism, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, and other neurological conditions.
Our mission is to support individuals to live in the same neighborhoods, work for the same employers, and share in the same experiences to which we all aspire. We envision a welcoming community that embraces individuality and passionately supports and empowers people.
Our programs offer a range of services designed to promote independence, personal growth, and community integration for the people we support. They can be summarized by 4 main categories:
Live: Living Opportunities provides housing solutions tailored to individual needs, ranging from 24-hour residential care to supported living assistance for people to live independently in a home of their choosing.
Work: Through supported employment services, our organization assists individuals in securing stable jobs, fostering a sense of accomplishment and financial success. We collaborate with local employers to create diverse, competitive-wage job opportunities, and provide on-the-job support.
Learn: Educational programs focus on teaching life skills, providing behavior consulting, and offering assistive technology support. These services are designed to help individuals lead purposeful, independent lives within their communities.
Create: The Studio at Living Opportunities is located in the Rogue Valley Mall, offering a creative outlet for self-expression through the arts. Participants can engage in artistic endeavors that serve as a form of expression, a source of income, as well a way to build community
Living Opportunities has been recognized for its leadership and innovation in Oregon’s disability rights movement. Our organization has been named one of the Top 100 Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon for ten years. We also train and mentor other organizations across the state in areas such as Supported Employment, Assistive Technology and other best practices.
If you or someone you know experiences a disability and is in need of services, please reach out at (541) 772-1503, or visit our headquarters in Medford, at 1017 N. Riverside Ave. If you are interested in supporting our work, we encourage community involvement through various avenues:
Become an Employer: Businesses and nonprofits can partner with our Supported Employment program to develop job opportunities for those we support.
Make a Donation: Financial contributions ensure the continuation and expansion of services.
Volunteer: You can volunteer your time and skills to support various programs and initiatives;
Become an Ambassador: Advocates can help raise awareness about the organization’s mission and services.
As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Thank you for taking the time to get to know more about our organization!
Contact: info@livingopps.org
